The Materials Testing Laboratory emphasizes experiments aimed at understanding the cyclic stress response, cyclic strain resistance, low cycle fatigue, high cycle fatigue, fatigue crack growth, and fracture toughness characteristics of materials spanning the entire spectrum of monolithic alloys to advanced materials to include ordered intermetallics (aluminides of nickel and titanium) and metal-ceramic composites.

Current research projects include: "The High Cycle Fatigue and Fracture Behavior of High Strength Steels'; "Cyclic Stress Response and Low Cycle Fatigue Behavior of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Copper Alloys"; "Cyclic Strain Resistance and Fatigue Behavior of Novel Non-Equilibrium CopperLead Alloys"; "Microstructural Effects on Cyclic Stress Response and Low Cycle Fatigue Behavior of Metal Matrix Composites"; and "The Cyclic Fatigue Behavior of Tool Steel Metal Matrix Composites'

The laboratory is equipped with an INSTRON servohydraulic test machine (22 kip.), Universal United Test Machine, Sonntag Fatigue Test Machine, Rockwell Hardness Testers, Charpy Impact Test Machine, strain gages, extensometers, and fixtures. Studies conducted in these facilities are fundamental in nature and intended to contribute to an understanding of mechanical behavior of materials.