Design and Testing
Compression platens and subpresses
Dr. Don Adams discusses the use of compression platens (fixed and spherical seat) and subpresses to ensure reliable test frame operation.
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Neat resin specimen fabrication aids
To obtain quality experimental data, one must have access to quality test specimens.
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Fastener pull-through strength test method
Mechanical fasteners have been used to join wood and metal plates for hundreds of years.
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Mechanical wedge grips for tensile testing
In tensile testing, wedge grips are used on both ends of the specimen to position the specimen in the test frame.
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Through-the-thickenss tensile strength testing using a curved beam
The in-plane strength properties of a composite material, axial and transverse tension and compression and in-plane shear, are usually the first to be considered in design. However, through-the-thickness (interlaminar) strength properties cannot be ignored. Through-the-thickness tensile strength, in particular, can be critical to structural performance.
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Equibiaxial flexural strength testing of fiber-reinforced ceramics
In my last column, I discussed uniaxial flexural strength testing of fiber-reinforced ceramics, that is, simple three- or four-point bending of a strip of material of rectangular cross section (see "Learn More," at left). As was noted, the strength of this test specimen is sensitive to machining defects at its edges. Also, in many applications of fiber-reinforced ceramics (and unreinforced ceramics), the stress state is not uniaxial, but rather biaxial.
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Flexural testing of fiber-reinforced ceramics
Because of their brittle nature, ceramics, fiber-reinforced or unreinforced, are difficult to test in pure tension, compression and shear, primarily due to difficulties in gripping and uniformly loading the brittle specimen.
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Testing Tech: Test fixture and testing machine adapters
In preparation for testing, typically the upper portion of the test fixture is connected to a load cell in the crosshead of the testing machine, and the lower portion of the fixture is connected to the base of the machine.
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Testing Tech: Multiple-fastener, single-shear laminate bearing strength testing
Dr. Don Adams (Wyoming Test Fixtures Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah) follows up his HPC January 2008 discussion of double-shear testing of a single fastener while advice about testing multiple fasteners under single-shear loading conditions.
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Single-fastener, double-shear laminate bearing strength by tensile testing
Dr. Don Adams (Wyoming Test Fixtures Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah) discusses a laminate bearing strength test using double-shear loading of a single fastener.
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