Bend testing (also flex or flexural testing) is commonly performed to measure the flexural strength and modulus of all types of materials and products.  This test is performed on a universal testing machine (tensile testing machine or tensile tester) with a 3 point or 4 point bend fixture.  Most common for product testing is the 3 point test.

Topics: Plastic, Bend Testing

Check out our latest page on ASTM D638 here

Topics: ASTM Tests, Plastic, Tensile Test, Extensometer

The outdoor apparel and gear industry is a very frequent user of universal testing machines (UTM's). Universal testing machines can be programmed to perform a variety of tension (pull apart), compression (crush), and flexure (bend) tests. Strength and stretch are important design criteria for outdoor and athletic products. It may not be extremely important that a soda bottle withstand a large compressive load but it certainly is important if a rock climbing harness doesn't break.

This is a test of a side release buckle used to connect a lashing strap. As you can see in the video, this buckle would be fine for lashing a sleeping pad on a backpack, but you certainly would not want to use it for climbing.

Topics: Compression Test, Tensile Test, Packaging, Bend Testing

Hook and loop (often times referred to by the trade name Velcro) fasteners are commonly tested through both a Peel Strength "T" Method (ASTM D5170) and Shear Strength Dynamic Method (ASTM D5169).  Hook and loop fasteners are also used in applications where separation occurs purely in the tension direction.  This video shows a test where an adhesive backed hook and loop fastener is adhered to a pair of compression platens mounted to a universal testing machine (tensile testing machine).  The test has been designed so that in one test the hook and loop is loaded to 1 pound of force and then retracted to measure the bonding strength.  It then continues to load to 10 pounds of force, then retract, then load to 20 pounds, then retract, and so on until 80 pounds of force.  After the test is completed, the strength can be measured by analyzing the test report with load on the "Y" axis and time on the "X" axis.

Topics: ASTM Tests, Plastic, Tensile Test, Adhesive, Packaging

ASTM C469 governs the determination of static Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson's Ratio of concrete in compression.  The ensuing video demonstrates a C469 test on a hydraulically actuated manually controlled Baldwin universal testing machine equipped with an ADMET Gauge Buster 2 Digital Indicator and a computer running ADMET's Gauge Safe Live Data Exchange program.  The digital indicator and computer are connected via a USB port. 

Topics: Concrete Testing, Compression Test, ASTM Tests

ASTM D412 ( D 412 ) covers the tensile properties of thermoset rubbers and thermoplastic elastomers. The specification describes two test methods, A and B. Method A is common and can be performed on a universal testing machine (tensile testing machine). If you are going to perform this test, you should read the entire specification from ASTM. This is a quick summary to decide if this test is right for you, and to point out what equipment you need to perform the test.

Topics: ASTM Tests, rubber, Plastic, Tensile Test, Extensometer

This video shows a 90 degree adhesive peel strength test on an ADMET eXpert 7601 universal testing machine (tensile testing machine).  We fit the eXpert 7601 with our 90 degree peel strength fixture and one vise grip on the top crosshead to hold the free end of the tape.  The fixture has numerous tapped holes that allow you to clamp a multitude of various parts and substrates to the test bed.  This test measures the maximum load and also the average load of adhesive tape bonded to a Polystyrene foam substrate.  The average was taken after 1" of displacement and continued through 6" of displacement.  Usually, the highest force is observed at the beginning of a peel test and then it levels out throughout the remainder of the test.  Starting the average force calculation after 1" removed the "starting force" from the average calculation.

Topics: Plastic, Adhesive

Topics: Compression Test, rubber

Topics: Biomedical, Torsion, Fatigue

A suture is a medical device that doctors use to hold skin, internal organs, blood vessels and all other tissues of the human body together, after they have been severed by injury or surgery. They must be strong enough to hold the tissue and flexible enough to be able to tie into knots easily.

Topics: Biomedical, Tensile Test, Tissue