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Material Analysis Performance Program (MAPP)

The mission of the Material Analysis Performance Program (MAPP) is to provide UL's fire safety Division with the capabilities of advanced material characterization, forensic and small-scale test analysis.

The mission of the Material Analysis Performance Program (MAPP) is to provide Underwriters Laboratories Inc.'s fire safety division with the capabilities of advanced material characterization, forensic and small-scale test analysis. In addition to product identification for follow-up service, MAPP offers extensive analystical test methods to develop research options for your various needs. The program covers chemical and physical characterization, and fire performance evaluation from raw materials to end products and integrated systems. This program further enhances UL's knowledge on the correlation between small-scale, intermediate and full-scale fire testing.

State-of-the-Art Test Facilities

  • Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer with Continuum Microscope and Search Library -- Measures infrared absorption spectra. An extensive spectral library is available for forensic identification
  • Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) -- Measures thermal decomposition over a range of temperatures and different atmospheres
  • Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) -- Measures thermal transition temperatures of materials
  • Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) -- Measures stress-strain behavior over a range of temperatures and frequencies
  • Oxygen Bomb Calorimeter -- Measures heat of combusion (Hc) (NFPA 259, ISO 1716
  • Instron Materials Testing System -- Measures mechanical behavior of metals, plastics and elastomers over a range of strain rates
  • Oxygen Index Apparatus (LOI) -- Determines the minimum oxygen concentration that supports a candle-like flame for polymeric materials (ASTM D2863, ISO 4589)
  • Pycnometer -- Determines material-specific gravity using helium displacement technology
  • LEICA Microscopes -- Provides high-precision dimension measurement and fire structure inspection
  • Cone Calorimeter -- Determines ignitability, gavimetric analysis, and heat and smoke release rates under controlled heat flux conditions (ASTM E1354

For more information

For more information about our Research and Technology services, contact Pravin Gandhi.

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