We are a full-service provider with the equipment to meet your commercial testing needs.
The Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining Rock Mechanics Laboratory (RML) is a state-of-the-art rock testing facility located on the Main Campus of Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. At the RML we provide our clients with highly accurate and timely rock mechanics testing services for a number of static and dynamic tests that are all done to ASTM standards. Recently completed massive site renovations and continuous testing equipment upgrades allow us to perform multiple tests simultaneously while upholding the high standards that our clients rely upon. For whatever your testing needs are we have the equipment to do the job. Our testing equipment includes Material Testing Systems (MTS) 1000 KN and 3000 KN servo-controlled, electrohydraulic compression frames, powered by a 60 GPM 3200 psi dual pump Silentflo power unit, with a Flextest 40 control system. MTS is an industry leader in its field and its commitment to excellence is why we have them calibrate our load cells and extensometers annually (all certification is available for viewing upon request). Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) testing (with standard output of Young's Modulus and Poisson's ratio parameters being provided), Brazilian (indirect) tensile strength and confined compression strength testing can be performed on either compression frames. The 3000 KN frame also has the capacity to do multistage triaxial failure tests at up to four different confining pressures on single samples.
At the RML direct shear tests can also be performed on intact or pre-fractured rock specimens for determination of the intact or residual shear strength properties such as material cohesion and internal angle of friction parameters. While this test is not unique, the RML direct shear test equipment, or Automated Direct Shear (ADS) test frame, was designed and built in-house to provide automated direct shear testing capabilities for test samples up to HQ core size. Point Load index testing services can also be provided.
Besides core testing capabilities, the Queen's RML is able to provide clients with sample drilling of core materials from block samples over a wide range of sample sizes. Our in-house core drill has a capacity to drill large rock blocks in order to meet any potential sample needs if core materials are not available on site. These samples, as with all the samples that we test, are sized by diamond sawing and diamond end grinding to prepare samples for testing
To become your one stop for testing, we are pleased to announce that we have also teamed up with the Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining's mineral processing group. Thus, we also provide you with mineral assay services, including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICO-OES), sulfur and carbon analyzer, fires assay for gold and silver, titration, and particle size analyzer.
In addition to mineral assay services, the department's mineral processing and extractive metallurgy laboratories are able to provide clients with classification, physical separation, hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical testwork services. The laboratories are equipped with standard mineral processing equipment, kilns and furnaces for high temperature metal extraction testwork, reactors for atmospheric and high pressure/ high temperature leaching, column leaching, solvent extraction (SX), ion exchange (IX), precipitation and electrometallurgy testwork units. The extractive metallurgy laboratory is well- equipped with a state-of-the-art STAF3 instrument for TGA and DTA tests, potentiostat/ galvanostat for electrochemistry tests and glass reactors with fully-controlled ORP and pH systems.