Load Frames Testing
Load frames testing utilises a high stiffness support structure against which the test forces can react. The load frame comprises a base beam, two columns, and a moving crosshead that when fitted with fixtures is capable of measuring different mechanical properties related to strength and displacement.
Tension
Test Name | Tension Testing | ||
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Description | The most fundamental of type of mechanical test; provides information about how materials react to force being applied as it is pulled apart – as well as its strength and how much it will elongate | ||
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Jaw Faces | 10kN Grips | ||
50kN Grips | Flat and serrated, Round and serrated | ||
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Booking address | *G SEBE ENG Lab Eqpmt KE2.101 Instron 10kN *G SEBE ENG Lab Eqpmt KE2.101 Instron 50kN |
Compression
Test Name | Compression Testing | ||
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Description | Provides information about how materials deform under crushing loads – as well as being useful for measuring the plastic flow behaviour and ductile fracture limits of materials. | ||
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Booking address | *G SEBE ENG Lab Eqpmt KE2.101 Instron 10kN *G SEBE ENG Lab Eqpmt KE2.101 Instron 50kN |
Flexural
Test Name | Flexural Testing | ||
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Description | Provides information about how materials behave when subjected to simple beam loading, which produces tensile stress in the convex side of the specimen and compression stress in the concave side. | ||
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Test Control |
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Booking address | *G SEBE ENG Lab Eqpmt KE2.101 Instron 10kN *G SEBE ENG Lab Eqpmt KE2.101 Instron 50kN |
COD Gauge
Mechanical property | Crack Open Displacement (COD) is suitable for both fatigue crack growth studies and fracture toughness measurements | ||
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Principle of operation | The COD gauge gives a precise indication of the relative displacement of two accurately located knife-edges (or machined reference edges), which span the starter notch of the specimen. | ||
Specifications | Gauge length 5mm, Maximum Travel 2mm | ||
Standards | Comply with requirements laid down in ASTM E399-09. Suitable for testing to determine the fracture toughness of metallic specimens as described in BS 7448, ASTM E399, ASTM E361, ASTM E1290, ASTM E1820, and ISO 12135, ISO 12737. Suitable for fatigue crack growth studies according to ASTM E647 and ISO 12108. | ||
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Calculations | Crack length KIC, is calculated from the values of load versus crack opening displacement. The KIC value characterises the resistance of the material to fracture in the presence of a sharp crack under static loads. | ||
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Video Extensometer
Mechanical property | Extension displacement Strain displacement | ||
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Principle of operation | The AVE2 Video Extensometer measures accurate specimen strain during a materials test without contacting the specimen. There is no mechanical influence on the specimen and increased reproducibility. This is achieved through accurate detection of gauge length markers using a high resolution digital camera. | ||
Specifications | Lens focal length = 9mm Axial field of view = 425 mm Transverse field of view = 57mm Minimum axial gauge length = 12mm Minimum transverse gauge width = 12 mm AVE2 resolution = 1.5mm AVE2 measurement accuracy (axial and transverse in mm) = the greater of ±3 or ±1% of reading | ||
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BlueHill3 Software
Description | Program used to develop methodology and run the tests. Tailored application solutions from the simplicity of a basic peak load test to the power required for a complex cyclic test. | ||
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Method development considerations |
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Testing control |
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End of Test Criteria: Rate of Load Load Threshold Load with Delay % Peak Load Measurement Event Digital Input Event PIP Count | |||
Defining the console | Live Displays
Soft Keys
Frame
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Measurements | Extension - Acquired from Crosshead travel Load - Acquired from the Load Cell Time - Acquired from Bluehill controller *Strain 1 - Calculated from Extensometer connected to Strain 1 board (eg: AVE2 non-contacting or contacting strain gauge) *Strain 2 - Calculated from Extensometer connected to Strain 2 board Video strain - Acquired from Extensometer connected to Video board Tensile Strain - Calculated from Extension or Strain1/2 and is configured with the measurements area of the method Tensile Extension - Calculated from Tensile Strain % Strain - Calculated as Value/Gauge Length:
Physical - Data read directly from the transducer connected to the testing system. Virtual - Data calculated from a mathematical expression using data from one or more physical measurements:
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Data collection rate | Recommended 100 – 1500 points Maximum 1000 points/sec | ||
Calculations | By using the Domain, the area or portion of the data the software analysed to calculate the results can be set. | ||
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Exports | There are 3 – 4 different types of export files that each need to be enabled to export
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Test Prompts | Two different types:
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Resources | TrendTracker – compiles results and analyses trends |