Non-destructive and destructive materials testing examines the mechanical loading of a material.
A key aspect of the characterization of molding materials is the inter-laboratory reproducibility of test results. Specimen production, specimen shapes, and test sequences are all specified in detail, with rigorous demands on both repeatability and traceability. In quality control, the basic standard of evaluation is the change in measured values over a period of time.
Both ISO 527-1/-2 and ASTM D638 define test methods for tensile tests. The two standards are technically equivalent but do not provide completely comparable results, because specimen shapes, test speeds and method of result determination differ in some respects.
In the standardized tensile test, results are based on a defined specimen pull-off speed on the specimen. However, the loads on a component or structure in actual service may lie within a very wide range of the deformation rate. Due to the viscoelastic properties of polymers, mechanical properties different from those measured on a standardized test specimen normally result under altered strain rates. For this reason, the characteristic values determined in a tensile test are only of limited suitability for component design, but represent a very reliable basis for material comparisons.
Tensile impact tests provide a material property based on the impact energy, which is determined under tensile loading on standardized specimens at high strain rates. When using the same pairings of pendulum and yoke sizes, the result is a good level of reproducibility of the test results. The ISO 8256 and ASTM D1822 standards describe the tensile impact test on plastics.
Tensile impact tests are often used for very flexible film or plate specimens, as well as for soft or semi-rigid plastics, which do not result in specimen break.
Puncture tests are of particular interest for molding materials. This type of test imposes a multi-axis stress condition on a thin plate, which is induced at a high strain rate. The result is:a force time or force travel diagram and single-point data that describe both the deflection of characteristic points of the diagram and the maximum force.
Universal testing applications in a small force range up to 5kN
Predominantly designed for the plastics industry for the following tests: charpy, izod, dynstat, impact tensile.
The Amsler HIT230F and HIT600F drop weight testers, specifically designed for impact tests on plastics, feature excellent test area accessibility allowing for easy insertion of temperature-conditioned specimens, ultimately ensuring a high efficiency rate.
Two steel columns provide highly accurate guidance for ProLine’s moving crosshead. The stiff load-frame profile and generous connecting surfaces reduce the inclination angle of the crosshead under load, enabling very precise alignment and application of force to the specimen.
The Aflow is noted for being highly automated: Whether simple cleaning and defined pre-compaction at the press of a button, or infinitely settable test loads, the Aflow extrusion plastometer adapts to your test tasks.
Achieve reliable test results with the ZHR8150CLK hardness tester – for more than 30 different depth-measurement applications, including Rockwell for metals and ball indentation hardness for plastics.
HDT/Vicat Allround instruments determine the heat deflection temperature (HDT), and are designed to enable convenient testing in research and development, goods inwards checks and production monitoring as well as for educational and training purposes.
The Kappa Multistation is a compact and flexible electromechanical creep testing machine with up to six individually controlled load axes. This cost and space efficient testing system is ideal for a wide spectrum of specimen materials, and is considered the specialist for creep tests on plastics and composites.