Metallic materials exposed to a hydrogen atmosphere can exhibit degradation of their mechanical properties during their service life due to hydrogen embrittlement. Slow Strain Rate Testing (SSRT) in hydrogen atmosphere is a mechanical testing method that evaluates loss of ductility in metallic materials caused by hydrogen embrittlement.

The performance of materials used for example in hydrogen storage and transport systems can be severely affected by degradation caused by hydrogen embrittlement. An appropriate materials selection is a cost-effective way to reduce the risks of hydrogen embrittlement for the hydrogen industry.

The testing is carried out in the lab according to the principles of relevant standards. During the Slow Strain Rate Testing (SSRT), the specimens are subjected to an increasing uniaxial strain while exposed to gaseous hydrogen. The test continues until fracture occurs and the loss of ductility due to hydrogen embrittlement is compared against a specimen tested in an inert environment. We offer testing in hydrogen gas environment up to 150 bar.

Written report in English together with the acquired data.

Specimens according to agreement can be provided directly by the client. We can also receive raw material from which the specimens are made.

Hydrogen embrittlement is a pervasive and dangerous issue for many types of materials, and it is especially (but not exclusively) affecting high strength steels. The determination of the susceptibility of materials to delayed fracture in the actual service environment is necessary to an appropriate materials selection.

Some mechanical tests such as Incremental Step Load (ISL) / Rising Step Load (RSL) testing in the actual service atmosphere can support your materials selection. We offer step load testing in high pressure gaseous hydrogen atmosphere.

During the step load testing, the specimen is loaded in incremental steps until failure, resulting in the evaluation of its toughness under the test conditions as an assessment of its sensitivity to hydrogen embrittlement. Tests are conducted on standard fracture mechanic specimens (compact tension, CT) pre-cracked in fatigue before testing.

In addition to testing in hydrogen gas, we offer step load testing of specimens that are either hydrogen charged in-situ during the testing or that are pre-charged.

Written report in English together with the acquired data.

Specimens according to agreement can be provided directly by the client. We can also receive raw material from which the specimens are made.

In healthcare, there is an increased risk of spreading infection. Infection can be transmitted through touch surfaces such shared between patients. This imposes special requirements when cleaning and disinfecting. RISE has the competence to evaluate the suitability of the choice of materials and chemicals intended for the healthcare environment.

Requirements for materials:

In the healthcare sector, all materials that are present must be easy to clean and durable. This places great demands on the nature of the materials as cleaning, with both mechanical and chemical action, is carried out regularly in these environments.  It can be difficult to determine whether a material such as in a bathtub, chair covering or mattress can withstand to be cleaned and disinfected repeatedly over a long period of time  while the removal of dirt and microorganisms is still sufficient.

Disinfectant requirements:

Surfaces with patient contact where infection could be transmitted must be cleaned and sometimes disinfected. Special requirements are imposed on the disinfectant in terms of killing microorganisms while the chemicals must not damage the material. RISE can evaluate the microbiological effect and assess what the material can withstand.

With a broad expertise in materials and surfaces, chemistry and analytical methods, microbiological requirements and methodology, RISE offers the following expertise and services related to hygiene, cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in healthcare environments:

• Effectiveness of disinfectants against bacteria, yeast, mold and viruses
• Biofilm, detection, identification, build-up, reduction
• Bioburden, detection on surfaces
• Cleanability test, worst case scenario with relevant dirt
• Material compatibility with chemical disinfectants
• Surface resistance to abrasive wear
• Accelerated aging and simulated exposure to environmental factors

Tests are, as far as possible, equal to or based on relevant ISO and EN standards.

An assignment at RISE regarding material selection can, for example, constitute support in product development work, procurement or purchasing in order to be able to choose between different solutions to obtain a suitable, i.e. durable and easy-to-clean material. It can also involve evaluating the microbiological or dirt-removing effect of a disinfectant or cleaning agent.

It is important that the plastics used in batteries, including the components separator, binder, electrolyte, and electrodes are able to withstand metal salts, harsh acids and bases that can be used as electrolytes under cycled or high temperatures, over a range of pressures. This enables optimization of the battery performance with time.

The results are usually observed by visual observation or microscopy where surface stress fractures, etching or color changes are signs of incompatibility. Additionally, weight changes in the material after immersion studies provide information about the compatibility. If there is a loss of weight, part of the plastic is likely leaching out or degrading and disappearing into the surrounding solution. If there is a weight gain, the solution is absorbed by the polymer with a resulting material that has modified physical and mechanical properties.

To test compatibility, polymer battery components are immersed in corrosive environments, including metal salt solutions and/or extreme acidic or basic solutions. Additional conditions could include:

- Cycled temperatures

- Elevated temperatures

- Pressure

This accelerated aging predicts the performance of various polymer parts in a range of battery systems over time and allows for optimization of the polymer choice for a specific battery application.

Results are usually delivered to the customer in the form of a report.

In mechanical testing of battery components and battery cases, we test the effect of mechanical impact to ensure that the design is suitable for its application.

Mechanical testing of battery components and cases includes static and dynamic testing. The tests consist of tensile tests, pressure tests, fatigue tests, impact tests, creep tests, and internal pressurization of batteries.

Examples of mechanical impact on battery components

The mechanical impact is investigated during (or after) battery components and battery cases have been exposed to various impacts. These include internal damage, short circuits, electrolyte leakage, and structural damage, all of which can have serious consequences.

Why is mechanical testing of battery components carried out?

Mechanical testing is essential from a safety aspect. If the battery, battery case, or its components are not suitable for their intended use it may lead to reduced capacity, reduced efficiency, reduced performance, or overheating of the battery. There is also a risk of fire and explosion – in other words, a risk of serious injury.

Increased electrification requires more testing

Investigating mechanical risks is becoming increasingly important as society electrifies, not least with an increased number of electric vehicles. Mechanical testing is necessary to ensure product safety and is, therefore, important for producers, importers, and retailers.

You receive guidance on mechanical testing

We help you mechanically test battery components in our laboratories. We keep track of the latest regulatory changes and guidance within requirements and standards. By using RISE, you also get access to our entire institute's collective expertise, competence, and experience. We operate in materials, chemistry, energy, analysis, and certification in the battery area.

Our experience in mechanical testing, accompanied by an extensive machine park and modern lab resources, enables great flexibility and unique testing possibilities. Thinking outside the box is our everyday life! In addition to mechanical testing for force, deformation, pressure, and elongation, we offer advanced measurement methods, such as Digital Image Correlation (DIC), Digital Volume Correlation (DVC), and acoustic emission (AE).

Combination of different types of testing

With our possibilities for safety-critical testing, we can also combine mechanical testing with, for example, cycling batteries. If a battery ends up in thermal runaway or propagation, we can measure heat generation, gas emissions, and more. At RISE, you get help with the right combination of tests.

As a client, you will receive a digitally signed technical report with your test results. You will receive the report in Swedish or English, whichever you prefer.

Are you interested in safety critical testing of batteries, there is further reading on our page for safety-critical battery testing. 

The quality and durability of the materials and parts making up the battery dictate the battery performance. RISE offers a broad assessment of batteries with water-based electrolyte.

RISE can perform different methods to investigate and help improve the quality of materials within batteries with water-based electrolyte. These batteries include but are not limited to nickel metalhydrid (NiMH), lead-acid, nickel-cadmium and zinc-based chemistries.

We specialise in studying the impact the harsh battery electrolyte environments has on the battery components such as the electrode material, casing of active material, current collectors, external casing, binders, and separators.

We provide detailed electrochemical, chemical, and structural analysis to highlight how the properties and mechanisms, such as corrosion, of a material limit battery performance and cause ageing.

Material characterisation is either made on fresh materials intended to be used in the batteries or post-mortem analysis, i.e., on materials harvested from cycled cells and packs. Our facilities also enable controlled metallic and polymer material exposure in water-based electrolytes.

To assess the corrosion resistance of the metallic components, electrochemical techniques, EIS, PDP, and SVET, are available. Localised chemical analysis with FTIR and nano-IR are offered either separately or combined with these techniques to characterize surface chemistry such as type of precipitated corrosion products. Microscopy techniques, AFM (available with nano-IR) and SEM, are available for detailed exploration of the morphology of for instance active materials, coatings or corrosion attacks.

Aside from experimental techniques, we also offer physics-based modelling to investigate further how material quality and degradation is connected to battery cell behaviour in terms of voltage and current output, and available capacity over time.

We deliver the results to you as desired, analysed and written in a report.

Hydrogen, composition, impurities, ISO 14687, EN 17124

Some impurities and particulates, if present in hydrogen may damage, the fuel cell system in a hydrogen vehicle as it is highly sensitive to the presence of even very low levels of impurities. Therefore, standards ISO14687 and EN17124 set stringent limits for numerous gaseous.

We offer flexible analyses to respond to every client´s need. We can analyse most of the impurities mentioned in these two standards, incl. water, total hydrocarbons, methane, oxygen, helium, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur compounds, formaldehyde, formic acid, ammonia and halogenated compounds.

Our analyses are performed in our gas laboratory which is equipped with many different analytical instruments incl. GC/TCD, GC/FID, GC/MS, Proceas (IR).

The work include both accredited and non-accredited testing methods. The scope of accreditation is available upon request – please feel free to contact us for more information.

The results are first delivered per mail as a preliminary report. After an agreement, the final report is sent per mail.

Within two weeks

If requested, RISE can assist with the sampling at (for example) a station

ISO 14687:2019

EN17124:2022

Biofilm formation is the microorganisms' way of protecting themselves against factors in the environment such as chemicals, antibiotics, heat etc. Biofilm therefore creates problems in many industries and environments, for example in water management in various contexts, in healthcare, in the paper industry and not least in the food industry.

Research has shown that when a biofilm has formed, the microorganisms can be up to a thousand times less sensitive to, for example, antibiotics than when they live freely in a solution. Correspondingly, resistance to cleaning and disinfection chemicals, biocides, heat, but also to drying out increases.

The microorganisms that can form biofilm can in some cases cause disease if they are found on surfaces in the food industry ex. Listeria, in healthcare ex. Enterococci or in shower water in the form of Legionella. In the paper and other process industries, the biofilm can manifest itself, for example, in the form of product defects or clogged filters.

RISE can, with various methods, help prevent biofilm formation, for example by choosing the right type of material, means or design of equipment. We can also offer risk assessment in situations where risks may arise due to biofilm formation e.g. with stagnant water and the possibility of growth and spread of Legionella. 

We have methodology for testing and evaluation at different scales, from lab scale to large-scale in the form of smaller reactors and larger rigs, where you can circulate water to simulate biofilm construction and removal of biofilm. Combinations of different materials, chemicals, cleaning regimes and biofilm types can be evaluated.

At our microbiological lab, which is BSL 2 classified, we can analyze biofilm with traditional culture techniques, flow cytometry and MBEC to look at levels of microorganisms as well as with molecular techniques to get an identification of the microorganisms that occur.

Examples of deliveries to customers: 

• Basis for being able to choose suitable materials that counteract biofilm construction
• Help and advice to be able to design in a way that makes it difficult to build biofilms
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of chemicals in counteracting and removing biofilm
• Risk assessment and preventive measures with a focus on Legionella in water systems

Rise performs sound insulation measurements as well as measurements and analysis of the sound transmission paths. The measurements are performed in a building or mock-up. The analysis provides information on where and which transmission part of the design needs to be improved to achieve better sound insulation.

In a standard measurement of sound insulation, measurement results and a classification of different sound classes are provided, but not the information about which transmission path that is the weakest link. That is, if it is a direct sound (straight through the wall or floor) or flanking transmission (the sound passes through junctions and then radiates out from wall or ceiling surfaces). Being able to determine which part of the design where the transmission path dominates or limits the sound insulation is valuable information on how to work to get a better sound insulation and sound rating in a building system. The purpose of the measurement service is to provide this information. The method is primarily developed for impact sound insulation in multi-storey buildings in wood, and for the lower frequencies. Achieving impact sound insulation that meet requirements and to get satisfied customers is a matter that has proven particularly challenging for multi-storey construction in wood with apartment-separating joists, when available knowledge and tools in the area have been limited.

The method is a further developed version of the research project AkuLite's measurement protocol and is not standardized at present. The principle is based on the fact that the surfaces with the greatest vibration levels also emit the most sound. The measurement is made with accelerometers on ceilings and walls, together with sound insulation measurements according to standards.

Test report with analysis.

RISE need to plan the measurements together with clients. Measuring objects / buildings need an availability of 2 days for rigging and measurement, with limited interference with respect to sound and vibration during measurements.

ISO 16283-1 Acoustics - Field measurement of air borne sound insulation

ISO 16283-2 Acoustics - Field measurement of impact sound insulation

ISO 717-2 Acoustics - Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements — Part 1: Airborne sound insulation

ISO 717-2 Acoustics - Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements - Part 2: Impact sound insulation

SS 25267 Acoustics - Sound classification of spaces in buildings - Dwellings

SS 25268 Acoustics - Sound classification of spaces in buildings - Institutional premises, rooms for education, preschools and leisure-time centres, rooms for office work and hotels

The water content needs to be as low as possible in all materials included in a Li-ion battery build. The water content of the solid electrode sheets can be determined with our Karl Fischer set-up.

The use of the adapted columetric Karl Fischer titration to determine water coupled to an oven makes it possible to thermally extract water from many materials. Electrode materials, or other material, is cut into a suitable atmosphere, usually in a glovebox, and placed in a sample container that fits the oven. An inert gas stream leads the water to the titration vessel where quantification takes place. Titration provides low spread between measurements and can detect about 50 ppm water in a sample.

Karl-Fischer titration with an oven set-up and sample handling

Report, Powerpoint, Excel sheet or e-mail

Express analysis or according to agreement