A universal testing machine determines the quality of materials by pulling, compressing, bending, or stretching them until they break. It is mainly used by laboratories that produce or print various plastics. The machine consists of one or two vertical columns mounted on a base, with a second horizontal plate for holding the sample. The most common test is a tensile strength test, while shear and compression tests are less common. Current models are operated by digital controls and computer software, allowing engineers to determine how well a material holds up under different conditions.
A universal testing machine pulls, compresses, bends or stretches materials until they break. These tests determine the quality of the material and how well it is suited for a particular use. The universal testing machine is mainly used by laboratories that produce or print various plastics.
One or two vertical columns are mounted on a base to form the body of the universal testing machine. A second horizontal plate, with attachments to hold the sample, slides up and down when performing stress tests on samples. Machines with a vertical column are typically smaller and cheaper, although they often lack the ability to compress materials. Vertical double column machines are considerably more expensive but can handle larger samples in terms of both size and weight.
The most common test performed by a universal testing machine is a tensile strength test. One end of a sample is held in place while the other end is pulled away until the two sides are torn. Flexural strength is tested in a similar fashion, but the machine pushes on one end of the sample instead of pulling it. Again, the test stops when the sample breaks, although some materials are flexible enough to bend rather than break without producing final results.
Shear and compression tests are less common, although they are still used for a variety of materials. In a squeeze test, a sample is pressed between two plates until it breaks or loses its shape. This test is often used to measure the strength of plastic foams and to find out how easily plastic bottles lose their shape. In the shear test, a metal blade is driven into the sample at a constant speed until a piece of the sample breaks off. This test is measured in terms of shear force/area.
In early versions of the universal testing machine, a specialized recorder was used to record test information, which was to be interpreted by a specialist. Current models are operated by digital controls and computer software. These programs are sophisticated enough to run a test and display the results while the test is still in progress. The benefit of this is that engineers can see how stress affects the material to the point where it breaks. This information allows engineers to determine how well a material holds up under a variety of conditions.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
