This mechanical testing system with controlled atmosphere for experiments on advanced materials will permit studies of creep, fatigue, and quasi-static mechanical testing in inert and oxidizing environments at temperatures up to 1700 Centigrade. Research areas include high-temperature deformation of fiber-reinforced metal and ceramic composites, superplasticity and creep of fine-grained ceramics, metals and composites, stress corrosion in metals and metal matrix composites, and deformation twining in intermetallic alloys. This system will help establish a center for composites research, which is a major new initiative at the University of Southern California.The system will also be used in materials-related research projects such as fatigue durability of dental composite restoratives, and solid mechanics of advanced structural materials.
