Materials Engineering Centre | University of Warwick

Materials Engineering Centre

Since 2018, the Manufacturing Engineering Centre (MEC) has facilitated advanced materials research across chemical processing, manufacturing, and destructive testing.

Designed for evolving industry and research demands, it fosters innovation and skills development. The building houses the Centre for Polymers and Composites (CPC), a dedicated research space driving progress in polymers and composites, ensuring real-world impact through applied science and technology transfer.

Our address
Materials Engineering Centre
University of Warwick
Coventry
CV4 7AL
United Kingdom

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Mechanical and material testing facilities

MEC is equipped with comprehensive testing and analysis capabilities, supporting materials research from fundamental characterisation to industrial applications.

This includes:

Mechanical Material Testing: Test frames, fatigue testing, and other structural evaluations.

Microscopy Preparation: Full metallographic sample preparation for detailed materials analysis.

Buehler Laboratory: Equipped with state-of-the-art metallographic preparation tools, including abrasive and precision sectioning machines, advanced grinder-polishers, and a spectral analysis system for chemical characterisation. The lab also features Buehler’s latest hardness testers with varying automation levels and testing capabilities. Optical microscopes from Nikon, integrated with Buehler’s image analysis software, support high-quality metallographic assessments.

Images

Our research areas

The Materials Engineering Centre is home to the Centre for Polymers and Composites (CPC), conducting high-impact research in materials, manufacturing, design, and sustainable end-of-life solutions. With a strong legacy in plastics and composite processing, the group collaborates with industry partners to develop advanced materials and manufacturing technologies.

Research at the CPC ranges from process and structural simulation and materials formulation to industrial processing methods, including injection moulding, compression moulding, and extrusion. Experts work across all research stages, from fundamental characterisation to full-scale industrial manufacturing and testing, ensuring simulations are validated and industrial feasibility is demonstrated. The expertise extends to high-volume automotive thermoset and thermoplastic composites, supporting industry with sustainable, innovative solutions.

Centre for Polymers and Composites

View our other WMG locations

WMG have ten industry leading facilities at the heart of the University of Warwick.