Materials Research
Research to Meet any Materials Requirement
UDRI conducts comprehensive research and development in the full spectrum of materials. Since 1957, our work in material types, materials characterization, materials phenomena, and materials processing has helped customers in government and industry satisfy their mission requirements. UDRI is number one among all colleges/universities in the nation for sponsored research and development in materials engineering according to the National Science Foundation.
Top: Same material annealed (heated, followed by slow cooling, in order to soften the material, regenerate overheated structures, or remove internal tensions) at two different temperatures. Image credit: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
UDRI researchers provide comprehensive capabilities in design, modeling, fabrication and processing development, and characterization of responsive, multifunctional, composite, and hybrid materials.
UDRI researchers perform materials development, materials fabrication and life prediction, analytical modeling, and testing of brittle materials. We can analyze materials in different temperatures and environments for strength, fracture, fatigue, and creep behavior.
UDRI researchers enable new materials by connecting chemical structure to end-use properties. We serve academia, government (defense and non-defense), and industrial customers.
UDRI develops technologies in multiple types of polymeric materials and processes in order to improve sustainability and affordability for aerospace applications. We work with a variety of customers within the government and aerospace industry.
UDRI evaluates coatings and solves paint problems for government and industry. We also characterize organic coatings and microbial influenced corrosion and degradation of coating systems in aircraft. Our researchers specialize in aerospace coatings and corrosion-related process management and material development, evaluation, integration, and sustainment.
UDRI performs dynamic material response analysis on metals, plastics, foams, composites and even bullets at strain rates ranging from 200 to greater than 5,000/sec in our Dynamic Material Characterization Laboratory. We can perform testing over a wide range of temperatures, and we can test, evaluate and validate materials to meet your most challenging requirements.
UDRI's research includes oil and fuel analysis; alternative and recycled refrigerants; aging aircraft issues; new fluid and lubricant R&D; testing of fluids, lubricants, coolants, solvents, and de-icers; ASTM and FTM qualification testing and failure analysis; lubricant performance measurement; tribological fluids evaluation; and lubricant and lubrication systems monitoring.
UDRI has extensive facilities and personnel devoted to materials analysis, testing, and evaluation. Our lab work includes materialography analytics; microanalytics; surface analysis; chemical analysis; and interrogation, characterization, and manipulation of materials at the nanoscale.
UDRI has comprehensive capabilities for developing and integrating new and conventional materials into multifunctional structures and materials to reduce size, weight, power consumption, and manufacturing complexity and to increase performance, ruggedness, and survivability.
UDRI develops, enhances, and tests nondestructive methods to characterize aerospace material properties and component integrity for engines and structures in aerospace and related fields.
UDRI conducts particle (sand and dust) erosion testing on aerospace materials for both Air Force and commercial customers. This work takes place at the Particle Erosion Test Facility at Wright-Patterson AFB.
UDRI conducts rain erosion testing on aerospace materials for both Air Force and commercial customers. This unique, specialized work takes place at the Air Force's Rain Erosion Test Facility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
