Mechanical and Environmental Testing Laboratory (METLab)

The Mechanical and Environmental Testing Laboratory (METLab), operated by Argonne’s Nuclear Science and Engineering Division, is a suite of testing capabilities used for evaluating mechanical performance of structural materials under various loading, temperature, and environmental conditions. 

The METLab consists of numerous autoclave systems, servohydraulic and screw-driven mechanical testing frames specially designed for evaluating environmentally assisted cracking, tensile behavior, creep, fatigue, creep-fatigue, and fracture toughness of structural materials in simulated reactor environments. 

A well-established testing procedure is followed to ensure Argonne’s quality assurance is equivalent to NQA-1.

Autoclave Mechanical Test Systems

This labview-based data acquisition system enables online monitoring of testing conditions and crack extension. Notable features:

• Eight autoclave systems for performing corrosion fatigue and stress corrosion cracking tests up to 350°C in simulated LWR water environments.
• Each system consists of a test frame, a load cell, an autoclave, a hydraulic actuator, and a water recirculation loop.
• The water – representative of a LWR coolant environment – is circulated through the autoclave at pre-set flow rates.

Tensile Test Systems

These systems were designed to perform high-temperature tensile tests per ASTM-E21. Notable features:

• Two Instron Model 5980 Materials Testing Systems with the Instron Bluehill 3 testing software package.
• Systems are equipped with 3-zone air furnaces for testing up to 1100°C.
• Load cells of 5 kN, 10 kN, and 50 kN are available.

Fatigue/Creep-Fatigue Test Systems

These systems were designed to perform high-temperature fatigue and creep-fatigue tests. Notable features:

• Two Instron/MTS closed-loop servohydraulic testing systems with the Instron WaveMatrix^TM software package.
• Systems are equipped with 3-zone air furnaces for testing up to 1100°C.
• Systems are equipepd with high-temperature extensometers to control/measure total axial strain.

Creep Test Systems

METLab also includes systems that perform creep tests per ASTM standard. Notable features: 

• Twenty-four ATS 2320-MM series and one ATS 2330-CCM series lever-arm load frames with the ATS WinCCS software.
• Systems are calibrated for the load range of 1,000 lb. (4.45 kN) to 10,000 lb. (44.5 kN).
• All 24 creep systems are equipped with 3-zone air furnaces for testing up to 1100°C.

Environmental Creep Test Systems

Controlled gas environments per ASMT standard require differentiated testing and METLab has these testing capabilities. Notable features:

• Four ATS 2140 direct-load testers and two ATS 2330-CCM lever-arm testers equipped with retort assemblies and the WinSCC control software.
• Systems are calibrated with the load range of 400 lb. (1.7 kN) for the direct-load testers, and 1,000 lb. (4.45 kN) to 10,000 lb. (44.5 kN) for the lever-arm testers.
• Systems are equipped with 3-zone air furnaces for testing up to 1100°C.