GEOSCIENCE LABORATORY TESTING DIVISION

 
This division measures the thermal, fluid and mechanical properties of materials over a wide range of temperature conditions by classical and professional standard procedures. The work performed is monitored by governmental organizations. Experimental property results are also compared to theoretical values and error analyses are conducted.

This division also performs heat, mass and momentum transfer studies in the lower layers of the atmosphere. The work is applied to atmospheric pollution and the diffusion of fugitive gases, as found in clandestine drug manufacturing. Special methodologies of identifying gaseous species are utilized.  

	GEOSCIENCE's Oxyacetylene Ablation Test System (ASTM E-285) Maximum heat Flux = 835 W/cm² with a maximum flame temperature of 3500°C (6332°F)
	View of liquid Nitrogen being added to an Environmental Chamber containing an ASTM C-177 apparatus
	View of a High-temperature ASTM C-177 system in an Environmental Furnace

Announcement of Geoscience's New Thick Batt Insulation R Value Measurement System Using ASTM C-518

Batt insulation companies often must specify the R values of thick layers of their insulations (up to 24"). If the densities of such batts are relatively low, it is not accurate to measure the R values of thinner layers and then merely extrapolate the R values to the thick batts by prorating the thickness. The reason that one cannot extrapolate under these circumstances is that radiation and convection processes exist that are dependent upon the batt thickness. Geoscience has in its laboratory a large guarded heater having dimensions of 10' X 10' with a metering zone having the dimensions of 4' X 4'. The company also has two large calibrated heat flux transducers, each 2' X 2' in size, which are positioned on the two sides of the test batt. Thermocouples are placed on both sides of the batt, which is them lowered onto the 10' X 10' composite heater system. A thermopile sheet is also available to adjust the metering and guard area heat fluxes. It is also possible to control the external environmental air temperature in the measurement system so that upward and downward heat flux cases can be studied. If your organization has an interest in making such full thickness testing, please contact Geoscience to discuss your specific needs.

Product Performance Testing and Verification for International Clients

Over the years, Geoscience has supported international clients who need their products tested by U. S. standards such as ASTM, Federal and military types.  Examples of the kinds of tests that are performed are thermal conductivity, R value, U factor, shading coefficient, expansion coefficient, emissivity, transmissivity, specific heat, crushing strength of materials, water vapor permeability, etc. Geoscience has been of service to international companies across the globe including companies in Canada, Mexico, England, Germany, Israel, Japan, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, India, Qatar, United Arab Emiraites, and France. Geoscience can refer testing requirements not performed by the company to laboratories that have the expertise needed, if the client so desires. Geoscience has excellent testing accreditations which can be seen in these web pages, and all work that is done for clients is kept highly confidential to the client. Test and evaluation results are reported either on Property Certification sheets or in technical reports, as requested by the client.

Radiant Barrier Test Methodology

From both theoretical and laboratory/field performance testing work, it has been clearly demonstrated that reflective foil when used as a radiant barrier with associated air spaces, can be very useful in energy savings (both under wintertime and summertime applications). Radiant barrier materials are used in wall, floor and attic applications.

Geoscience performs ASTM C-236/C-1224 type testing to determine radiant barrier insulation system R values for heat flow up, down and horizontal. In addition, several supporting functions are also carried out for radiant barrier systems; specifically, 1) pre-test R value performance predictions (using heat transfer theory and ASHRAE data) are made and 2) foil emissivity tests via ASTM E-408 are conducted.  

Other Test Systems Available at Geoscience

1. ASTM E-285 Oxygen-Acetylene Torch Ablation System
This system can be used to measure the "cool" side surface temperatures of a specimen when the "hot" side is exposed to a flame of over 6,000 degrees F for a specified time.

2. Specially Fabricated Test System for Measuring Combined Heat Storage and Ablation Heats of Protection Materials
So-called "pseudo specific heats" are used by some thermal engineers in cooling models which describe the transient heat transfer, including ablating or degrading processes for a re-entry protection material. Geoscience has developed a quantitative test procedure that determines the thermal performance characteristics of such materials. This method is used to measure transient energy transfer, percentage of volatile gas emissions, and mass/weight changes.