{"id":875,"date":"2025-03-06T17:53:07","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T17:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/faculty.cnr.ncsu.edu\/lokendrapal\/?page_id=875"},"modified":"2025-06-02T14:17:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T14:17:19","slug":"testing-services","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/faculty.cnr.ncsu.edu\/lokendrapal\/testing-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Testing Services"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Testing Services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>PAL ARMI provides extensive testing services utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Email <strong>lpal@ncsu.edu<\/strong> to inquire about using our services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">We Provide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion ncst-accordion\"><div class=\"accordion\" id=\"ncst-accordion-0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item ncst-accordion-item panel\"><a class=\"accordion-item__header collapsed\" href=\"#ncst-accordion-item-0-8\" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-8\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#ncst-accordion-item-0-8\" aria-controls=\"ncst-accordion-item-0-8\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h5\"><strong>Paper, Packaging, and Tissue Products Testing<\/strong> Facilities<\/h2><\/a><div class=\"collapse panel-collapse accordion-item__content-container \" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-0-8\" aria-labelledby=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-8\" data-parent=\"#ncst-accordion-0\"><div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Surface, optical, mechanical, and structural testing of paper and boards, packaging, hygiene products, films, composite materials<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Basis weight, caliper, bulk, tensile, tear, burst, stiffness, fold, compression, ring crush, Scott bond, stretch, elongation, tensile energy absorption (TEA), wet tensile (Finch cup), brightness, opacity, gloss, La*b*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wet and dry rub abrasion, scratch resistance, and micro\/nano-scale abrasion characterization, fold cracking, dusting, and peel adhesion <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Formation, porosity, roughness\/smoothness, compressibility, surface friction, softness, ball burst (dry\/wet), hand-panel testing, stain testing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), water absorption Cobb test, Hercules Sizing Test (HST), 3M Kit (oil\/grease resistance), <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact angle\/surface energy, adhesion, optical density, transmittance, image analysis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chemical analysis: Ash testing, filler content determination, starch analysis, plastics extraction<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fiber length, fines content, width, coarseness, kappa (lignin content), morphological testing, freeness, pressing, drying, etc. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item ncst-accordion-item panel\"><a class=\"accordion-item__header collapsed\" href=\"#ncst-accordion-item-0-3\" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-3\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#ncst-accordion-item-0-3\" aria-controls=\"ncst-accordion-item-0-3\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h5\"><strong>Paper Pilot Plant Testing Facilities<\/strong><\/h2><\/a><div class=\"collapse panel-collapse accordion-item__content-container \" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-0-3\" aria-labelledby=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-3\" data-parent=\"#ncst-accordion-0\"><div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Small-scale material and process studies using a Fourdrinier pilot paper machine<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Operating Range:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Basis weight: 20\u2013400 gsm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Speed: 20\u2013150 fpm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trim width: 12 inches<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Features:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Automated wet-end additive system<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Two felted press nips, smoothing press<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inline size press for biopolymer and synthetic surface treatments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Steam-jacketed cooking system for starches and polymers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inline steel nip calender stack<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High-precision drive system with real-time monitoring (tank levels, stock flow, consistency, pH, temperature, pressure, moisture)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Additional Capabilities:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Inline Size Press:<\/strong> Enhances surface properties such as printability and barrier performance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Calendering:<\/strong> Online and offline calenders to modify gloss, porosity, and smoothness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item ncst-accordion-item panel\"><a class=\"accordion-item__header collapsed\" href=\"#ncst-accordion-item-0-3\" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-3\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#ncst-accordion-item-0-3\" aria-controls=\"ncst-accordion-item-0-3\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h5\">Tissue Pilot Testing Facilities<\/h2><\/a><div class=\"collapse panel-collapse accordion-item__content-container \" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-0-3\" aria-labelledby=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-3\" data-parent=\"#ncst-accordion-0\"><div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tissue creping simulator (up to 2,000 fpm) for evaluating tissue and hygiene products, chemical additives, and Yankee\/blade materials<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evaluation of fiber quality on tissue properties<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evaluation of chemistry on tissue and towels properties<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Testing of tissue and towels properties such as basis weight, bulk, tensile, ball burst, softness, absorption<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item ncst-accordion-item panel\"><a class=\"accordion-item__header collapsed\" href=\"#ncst-accordion-item-0-4\" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-4\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#ncst-accordion-item-0-4\" aria-controls=\"ncst-accordion-item-0-4\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h5\">Packaging Design and Materials Testing Facilities<\/h2><\/a><div class=\"collapse panel-collapse accordion-item__content-container \" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-0-4\" aria-labelledby=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-4\" data-parent=\"#ncst-accordion-0\"><div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Packaging design and materials testing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flutter testing for corrugated materials<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vibration, clamp handling, and impact\/drop testing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stacking and creep testing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weatherability testing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Food service items testing: hot oil and water resistance, OGR tests, rigidity, composting, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Packaging design and simulations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Life cycle analysis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3D prototyping<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thermoformed and molded products testing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item ncst-accordion-item panel\"><a class=\"accordion-item__header collapsed\" href=\"#ncst-accordion-item-0-4\" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-4\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#ncst-accordion-item-0-4\" aria-controls=\"ncst-accordion-item-0-4\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h5\"><strong>Coating, Printing, and Converting Facilities<\/strong><\/h2><\/a><div class=\"collapse panel-collapse accordion-item__content-container \" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-0-4\" aria-labelledby=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-4\" data-parent=\"#ncst-accordion-0\"><div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Coating preparation and rheological testing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Barrier tests: 3M Kit test (Tappi T559), Turpentine test (Tappi T454), Hot Mazola Oil test, Pet-Food test, RP (Ralston-Purina) test, Oxygen Transmission Rate, Water Transmission Rate, Water absorption, HST, Porosity, Contact Angle, Surface Energy, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Release tests: Si coat weight (X-ray&nbsp;fluorescence analyzer), extraction, release\/curing tests, dimensional stability, adhesion tests<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Polymers and coatings testing: solids, density, pH, viscosity, surface tension, particle size, water retention, melt-flow index, flowability tests (Carr&#8217;s index), coat weight, thickness, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Small roll-to-roll coater with roll, air knife, gravure, and flexo metering<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compatible substrates: paper, film, foil, and composites<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applications: digital printing papers, food packaging, hygiene composites<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Specs: Up to 9-inch roll width; speeds up to 130 fpm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bench-top units for inkjet, electrophotography, flexo, and gravure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Printability analysis of digital prints (dye and pigment-based production inkjet, dry toners, and liquid toners (Indigo) systems)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Print quality evaluations: density, gloss, dot gain, mottle, image\/text analysis, wet\/dry durability, smudge resistance, dry time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assessment of print product recyclability (deinkability testing)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Testing for fold cracking, abrasion, dusting, fiber tear, and more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item ncst-accordion-item panel\"><a class=\"accordion-item__header collapsed\" href=\"#ncst-accordion-item-0-5\" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-5\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#ncst-accordion-item-0-5\" aria-controls=\"ncst-accordion-item-0-5\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h5\"><strong>Recycling, Composting, and Biodegradation Testing Facilities<\/strong><\/h2><\/a><div class=\"collapse panel-collapse accordion-item__content-container \" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-0-5\" aria-labelledby=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-5\" data-parent=\"#ncst-accordion-0\"><div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Waste composition and contamination analysis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Repulpability and recyclability testing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stickies identification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compostability testing (home and industrial conditions)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Biodegradability assessments in various environments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BOD\/COD analysis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recycled and non-recycled municipal solid waste (MSW) characterization\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Paper waste  testing &#8211; composition, moisture, density, contaminants analysis, thermal, chemical and structural analysis   <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plastic waste testing &#8211; composition, moisture, density, contaminants analysis, thermal, chemical and structural analysis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Textile waste  testing &#8211; composition, moisture, density, contaminants analysis, thermal, chemical and structural analysis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Metal and glass waste testing &#8211; composition, density, contaminants analysis, thermal, chemical and structural analysis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Resources <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Extremely diverse team of engineers, chemists, scientists and economists<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Highly trained professional faculty, staff, graduate research assistants (Ph.D. and M.S. Students), and undergraduate researchers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strong funding support from industry, NGO\u2019s and public agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Relevant Equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>High shear mechanical devices for nanomaterials production<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Two atmospheric plasma units<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mocon-OX-TRAN-Oxygen-Transmission-Rate-Tester<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mocon-PERMATRAN-WVTR-Tester<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Electrospinning unit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3D material deposition printers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Image analysis (microscopic and scanner)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3D scanning system<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>QD proofer coating with gravure and flexo coating and printing heads<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Euclid blade coater<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rod drawdown system<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Roll-to-roll coating machine with roll applicator and air-knife metering<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hot air, IR and UV curing units<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hercules Hi-Shear viscometer (HHSV)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brookfield viscometer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advanced rheometer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Melt-flow indexer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Injection mold<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mini-Haake Micro-Compounder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fully-equipped mechanical, optical and surface properties lab<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>KR\u00dcSS spinning drop tensiometer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact angle goniometer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Charge demand analyzer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Horiba laser scattering particle sizer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Malvern zetasizer nano<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confocal and polarized microscopes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>X-Supereme 8000 ED-XRF spectrometer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Coating mixers and various applicators<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aging\/yellowing via controlled irradiation, and various environmental chambers, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-blockquote\"><p>Advanced analytical tools such as DSC, TGA, FTIR, NMR, AFM, SEM, ToF-SIM, HPLC, GC\/MS, etc. accessible in various central laboratories on NCSU campus.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Testing Services PAL ARMI provides extensive testing services utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained staff. Email lpal@ncsu.edu to inquire about using our services. We Provide Resources Relevant Equipment<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/split-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"backgroundColor\":\"red_400\",\"imageID\":265,\"imageURL\":\"https:\/\/faculty.cnr.ncsu.edu\/lokendrapal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/09\/Pal-Group_5.jpg\",\"pageIntro\":\"State-of-the-Art Equipment, Testing and Services for Paper, Packaging, and Tissue &amp; Hygiene Products\",\"imageAlt\":\"The lab - Lokendra Pal - College of Natural Resources at NC State University\"}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-875","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/faculty.cnr.ncsu.edu\/lokendrapal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/faculty.cnr.ncsu.edu\/lokendrapal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/faculty.cnr.ncsu.edu\/lokendrapal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/faculty.cnr.ncsu.edu\/lokendrapal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/faculty.cnr.ncsu.edu\/lokendrapal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=875"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/faculty.cnr.ncsu.edu\/lokendrapal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/875\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1173,"href":"https:\/\/faculty.cnr.ncsu.edu\/lokendrapal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/875\/revisions\/1173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/faculty.cnr.ncsu.edu\/lokendrapal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}