New machine to ease metal processing studies

UCT's Centre for Materials Engineering (CME) recently acquired a state-of-the-art Gleeble 3800. The machine, valued at around R10 million, is described as a "fully integrated digital closed-loop control thermal and mechanical testing system". In other words, it can – at lab level – closely simulate metal processes seen in manufacturing. It will allow engineering students to work on a piece of metal while controlling variables such as temperature, strain, strain rate and time, essential in the manufacturing and testing processes. The Gleeble's purchase was made possible by a special equipment award from the National Research Foundation. In picture, Dr Sarah George conducts an experiment.