Environmental Chambers
Environmental chambers for materials testing are systems used to control the environment in which a specimen is tested to simulate real-life application conditions.
Because the mechanical properties of many materials change based on the ambient in which they are used, it is important to understand the physical characteristics they exhibit in these environments as different forces are applied. This helps ensure the safety, optimization, and reliability of their end products.
ZwickRoell offers a variety of environment control options including temperature chambers, heating and cooling systems, and a temperature-controlled fluid bath, which collectively cover a range of -80 °C to +2,000 °C and can be used for tests according to standards such as ISO 527-1 / ASTM D638, ISO 6892-2 / ASTM E8, ISO 37 and ISO 23529.
Temperature chambers Heating and cooling systems Temperature-controlled baths Testing solutions Videos FAQ
Temperature Chambers
Temperature chambers, also called temperature test chambers, are air-tight enclosures placed or mounted around the test fixtures of a materials testing machine to establish a controlled environment. The basic concept of a temperature chamber is similar to a convection oven. It mainly requires air flow, heating and cooling elements and an internal controller. ZwickRoell temperature chambers are seamlessly integrated with our testing machines and accessories, and are categorized into the following temperature ranges.
-80 °C to +360 °C
Temperature chambers in a temperature range of -80°C to +360°C commonly used for tensile, compression and flexure tests on plastics, rubber, elastomer, metals, and composites
Fully integrated with our testing system and testXpert III testing software
- Reliable test results
- Direct feedback on the temperature chamber status
Optional door-in-door feature – reduced-size opening for use when changing specimens
- Keeps temperature fluctuations to a minimum
- Reduces ice formation during the cooling process
- Saves time (up to 1 minute/45 seconds per test) and reduces costs
Specimen pre-conditioning feature
- Optional specimen magazine is placed in the temperature chamber to preheat the specimens
- Reduces test time (saves up to 20 minutes of test time vs. using specimens that are not pre-conditioned)
Separate interfaces for flexible use of both contact and optical extensometers
- One or multiple extensometers are mounted on the side of the chamber, consistently providing the user with a clear view and unrestricted access to the test area.
- Extensometers are mounted at the rear left, ensuring an unobstructed view into the test area. To simplify installation, a mechanical insert is available for sensor arms, together with an optical glass insert for extensometers, to allow use of all ZwickRoell extensometers.
- Measurement accuracy +/- 1 µm
- Balanced ventilation system to prevent vibration
- Extensometer tunnel prevents convection currents
- Special air flow system for homogeneous temperature distribution
The chamber can be easily removed from the testing machine by sliding it away via a track feature.
-50 °C to +180 °C
Specially designed to work with the zwickiLine for small test loads up to 5 kN
- Cost-efficient option for small loads, with a small footprint
- Temperature control via Eurotherm controller
- RS232 interface for operation with testXpert testing software
37°C
37°C climate control and humidity chamber for medical applications at average body temperature of 37 °C
- Interface to testXpert III testing software
- Humidity control from ambient humidity up to 90% relative humidity
Heating and cooling systems
-80 °C to +2000 °C – specially designed for use with our AllroundLine universal testing machine; modular heating system can be equipped with individual furnace or furnace carousel, thermal vacuum chamber, induction heating system; commonly used on metals for the automotive, power generation and plant equipment sectors, among others. Also, used with Kappa testing machines for creep tests up to +2,000 °C.
- Precise, standard-compliant temperature measurement and control
- Optimally coordinated components for reliable test results in high-temperature testing
- Option of metallic (max. 1,200 °C) or ceramic (max. 1,500 °C) load strings for tensile tests
- Ceramic load string (max. 1,500 °C in air) for compression and flexure tests
Temperature-controlled bath
Temperature-controlled bath for ambient temperature up to +80 °C – for medical applications to simulate physiological conditions of the body and test biomedical devices and materials including stents, dental ceramics, suture material and biological materials in fluids heated to body temperatures.
- Bath can be easily equipped with various test fixtures or grips
- Interface to testXpert III testing software with traceability option to FDA 21 CFR Part 11
- Optional temperature conditioning device (80 °C) added to bath
- Can be used seamlessly with videoXtens optical extensometer
