Research Laboratories and Test Facilities
Our Materials and Component Research Laboratories (MCRL) in Cheshire and Oxfordshire help customers get more from their high value assets by improving design, increasing out-put, extending asset life and demonstrating safety. MCRL provides research, technical solutions and independent advice in structural integrity utilising our skills in the fields of corrosion, mechanical engineering and materials science. We have been working at the leading edge of technology for more than 50 years providing services to industry including, defence, nuclear, fossil power, safety regulators, rail and aerospace.
We have over 50 professional engineers and scientists, many of whom enjoy international recognition. In addition, we are supported by a number of external consultants and University departments.
Our extensive state of the art facilities benefit from continuing capital investment and include, unique corrosion and corrosion cracking test stations, high temperature rigs for creep and fatigue, a fracture toughness lab, microstructural studies labs with SEM and optical microscopes, thermal properties measurements rigs, large scale component testing and irradiated materials testing rigs.
At our labs in Derby we have direct access to the rail network, sidings and have facilities to provide the full range of rail vehicle static testing. Our facilities include wheel unloading, bogie rotation, sway testing rigs and metallurgy and non destructive testing facilities.