Materials Evaluation and Testing Laboratory
METLAB's Mission
The Materials Evaluation and Testing Laboratory (METLAB) focuses on research, analysis and development of materials, testing equipment and techniques. The lab's research reaches beyond SDSU to the state of South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã and the Upper Midwest.
Nondestructive and destructive evaluation and testing methods are used in a wide spectrum of complex applications. Nondestructive methods include, but are not limited to: high speed video, borescope, metal alloy analyzer, ultrasonic and phased array, acoustic emissions, electromagnetic, magnetic particle, dye penetrant and radiographic testing. Destructive methods include, but are not limited to: static and dynamic material testing systems, hardness testers and microscopy systems.
METLAB Services
Helping Companies Answer Questions
- Sometimes companies want to test a design. More often they have questions about materials in a sub-component or parts received from a supplier. We work with our customers to develop a cost-effective and timely testing solution that will provide the data and analysis to answer those questions. We can test to the ASTM standard of your choice or work with you to develop a custom test plan. Testing is done right and on time.
- Our CNC Machine shop can assist with specimen preparation and help you with your fixture for custom test setup.
Destructive Testing
- METLAB can help you with capturing images at all observation angles at up to 2500x magnification with our digital microscope. We can apply real-time measurements as we go. Our laser microscope is especially good at non-contact surface profiling and 3D measurement. The depth of field on our laser microscope is comparable to SEMs, proving high-definition and ultra-depth examination in real color.
- METLAB can help you with capturing images at all observation angles at up to 2500x magnification with our digital microscope. We can apply real-time measurements as we go. Our laser microscope is especially good at non-contact surface profiling and 3D measurement. The depth of field on our laser microscope is comparable to SEMs, proving high-definition and ultra-depth examination in real color.
Non-Destructive Testing
- Sometimes companies want to test a design. More often they have questions about materials in a sub-component or parts received from a supplier. We work with our customers to develop a cost-effective and timely testing solution that will provide the data and analysis to answer those questions. We can test to the ASTM standard of your choice or work with you to develop a custom test plan. Testing is done right and on time.
- Measured thickness of thin films. Examined corrosion in copper pipes. Imaged and profiled water filters. Evaluated placement of electronic components. Performed surface profiling on dash boards. Imaged nano indentations on composites. Measured wear on mated components. Mapped transparent coating on semiconductors. Evaluated surface of rubber gaskets. Measured coating thickness on fishing line. Evaluated surface roughness on polished parts. Imaged indentations in biomass material.
Companies Served
- Abbott Point of Care, Canada
- Adams Thermal Systems, Inc.
- Adco Corporation
- Amesbury Group
- Ares
- SDSU: Electrical Engineering
- Brookings Municipal Utilities
- Buhler
- Cummins
- à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Mobile Hydraulics
- à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Tube
- Daktronics
- Design Tanks
- Dignity Medical
- Double Duty
- EcoTile
- Falcon Plastics
- Groschopp
- Intertec
- Kolberg Pioneer
- Larson Manufacturing
- Manitou
- Medtronics
- Meyer Tool
- Miken Sports
- Molex
- MtronPTI Industries
- Onyx EMS/Sparton
- Oak Ridge National Lab
- Passenger Productions
- Photronics
- Pure Fishing
- Quality Tool
- Schwans
- Scott Materials Group, Inc.
- SD School of Mines
- SDSU: Biology
- SDSU: Civil Engineering
- SDSU: Dairy Science
- SDSU: Electrical Engineering
- SDSU: Facilities
- Showplace Wood Products
- Sioux Corporation
- Starkey Hearing Technologies
- StarMark Cabinetry
- Sundog Images
- ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America
- Toyota
- Twin City Fan
- ultiMED
- USD
- Xerox
- 3M
Doing Business with METLAB
You contact METLAB
- Contact METLAB and tell us about your project.
- Request a quote if you need one.
- Tell METLAB if you need us to sign an NDA before sharing project details
- Download the sample submittal form. Fill it out and send it with your samples to our lab.
- Email Todd Letcher and let us know if you will be present for your testing.
METLAB will then
- Schedule and perform your testing.
- Send you data and an invoice.
- Send you spent samples if you want them back as indicated on your submittal form.
- Make sure you include your FedEx or UPS account number on your sample submittal form
What are Metlab's goals?
- To act as a focus point for research and development for materials testing, nondestructive evaluation and failure analysis in the state of South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã.
- To contribute to world-class research and establish international relationships with similar centers in the world.
- To develop human resources in the advanced technologies of materials testing and nondestructive testing and evaluation and provide research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.
- To perform basic and applied science and engineering research in the area of materials testing and to work in partnership with local and regional industries and U.S. government departments and agencies.
- To develop platforms for testing of sensors and development of micro-electronic control systems for various applications.
- To provide a test bed for prototyping and generation of new technologies.
- To establish a hub for technology transfer to local industries and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Do you have a listing of METLAB's equipment?
What's the average turn around time for testing?
Testing time varies based on a lot of things such as: What type of equipment you're using or what type of testing you want to do. Contact METLAB to get an estimate of how long it will take to do your testing and when they can fit you in.
Can I watch while you do testing and get pictures?
If it is possible for you to travel to our lab in Crothers Engineering Hall on the Brookings Campus of SDSU, you are more than welcome to come and watch, and take pictures too.
What if I don't know the ASTM standard?
Check out our technical resources list. If you're still having difficulties, please let us know.
Technical Standards
Contact us
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Physical Address
1151 8th St.
Brookings, SD 57007
Mailing Address
Crothers Engineering Hall 221, Box 2219
Brookings, SD 57007
Hours
Mon - Fri: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Follow Us
