videoXtens 1-120 Extensometer

• Specific advantages in this application
• Simple, compact system for determination of strain at yield stress (curve types b & c).
• Even brittle-fracturing plastics specimens can be tested without damaging the extensometer.

• Method B or A2, without r-value determination
• e.g. for determination of Rp0.2, Ag, A

• Specific advantages in this application
• Compact system for easy testing to standard - with total absence of specimen contact
• No influence on specimens: thin metal sheets or metal foils are sensitive to contact, making the non-contact videoXtens the ideal solution. It has no influence on material characteristic values.

• videoXtens can measure extremely wide specimens. As videoXtens is non-contacting specimens width is irrelevant.
• Even specimens prone to whipping can be tested without damaging the extensometer.
• Pattern recognition eliminates the need for specimen marking.
• Modulus values can also be determined in the initial range, e.g. gradient at x% strain.

• Easy to operate
• Automatic gauge-mark recognition and acquisition of initial gauge-length L₀.
• Tamper-proof: anti-tamper paint is applied to the lenses for the complete system so nothing can be adjusted. An important requirement for reliable test results.
• Easy alignment to the specimen: videoXtens is centrally aligned to the gauge marks via the connection to the crosshead (option).
• Compensation for different specimen thicknesses plus testing shear specimens.
• Wear-free system = low-maintenance. The systems also feature an extremely long service life.
• Connection to non-ZwickRoell machines via ±10V interface.

• High accuracy and repeatability
• Extensometers mounted using stable, low-vibration support arms.
• Housing provides protection against dirt and dust and inadvertent misalignment of the components.
• Exact synchronization of all measurement channels.
• Specially developed lighting provides continuous high-quality contrast ratios on the specimen, even with varying environmental conditions.
• Industrial-quality cameras and high-quality, low-distortion lenses.
• ZwickRoell extensometers exceed standards requirements, and are calibrated over the entire measurement range to ISO 9513 in the corresponding accuracy class.
• The videoXtens 2-120 HP and videoXtens biax 2-150 HP are calibrated in accuracy class 0.5 to ISO 9513, with the first calibration point starting at 20 μm.
• Additional calibration data-points for traceable, standard-compliant Young's modulus determination on plastics to ISO 527 (e.g. via additional calibration value at 25 µm) with the videoXtens 2-120 HP.
• Compliance with strict requirements for determination of the tensile modulus to ISO 527 Appendix C (videoXtens 2-120 HP and videoXtens biax 2-150 HP).
• The videoXtens biax 2-150 HP measures the change in width and Poisson’s ratio with an incomparable accuracy never before seen with non-contact extensometers.

• Automatic centering adjustment
• videoXtens tracks at half crosshead speed via the connection to the crosshead, keeping the testing operation automatically in focus and making optimum use of the measuring range (larger measuring range possible).
• This results in increased system measurement accuracy; the gauge marks shift less in the image and are captured in the center of the lens (low lens distortion).

• Pattern recognition: testing with software gauge marks
• The innovative pattern-recognition algorithm allows virtual gauge marks to be applied to the specimen. The gauge marks can be changed retrospectively and re-calculated (Test Re-Run option). It doesn't get any more convenient!
• The essential requirement is for a pattern on the specimen - either a natural pattern due to a structured surface or an artificial pattern which can quickly be applied using a marker spray or by stippling.

The optional Test ReRun module enables subsequent recalculation of strain on the basis of an image series recorded during a test, using a different initial gauge-length (provided multiple markings are present). This can be particularly advantageous in component testing, for example, when it is necessary to evaluate local strain at different locations, or in standard tensile tests when specimen necking has occurred outside the original initial gauge-length.

The recalculated strain can, of course, be synchronized subsequently with the other measurement values via the testXpert testing software.

The Strain Distribution option enables determination of local strains at multiple measuring locations along the specimen gauge-length. These are available as channels in testXpert. Up to 16 measuring locations are automatically recognized and evaluated during the test. This option also allows automatic real-time symmetrical adjustment of the initial gauge-length around the necking (to ISO 6892-1, Annex I).

Video capture is a recording of the test (without retrospective recalcualation). The recording is synchronized with the measured curve, enabling the test to be viewed retrospectively. The option includes no hardware, as recording and synchronization take place entirely via the videoXtens system.

This option allows two-dimensional measurement of dots applied to a planar specimen surface. This enables determination of local strains and specimen inhomogeneities under load. X and Y coordinates, as well as the distances between dots, are available as measured values.

Up to 100 measurement dots can be measured in any desired arrangement or in matrix form. Display in testXpert III is limited to 15 channels.

This option uses only one camera for measurement; any other cameras present are switched off beforehand.

With this option, biaxial measurements can be performed: In addition to the longitudinal strain, transverse strains can also be recorded—for example the change in width. Alternatively, change in width can of course also be measured alone.

• Two versions are available for measurement of transverse strain:
• Direct measurement on the specimen edge without additional markings (required for the determination of the r-value). For this version a backlight is required.
• Measurement of the specimen surface with dot markings or sprayed-on pattern. For this version the specimen is illuminated with an incident light lamp.

videoXtens can also be used for flexure tests. There are several options for measuring specimen deflection, depending on the type of test and the specimen condition and properties:

• Measurement using incident light via marks on the specimen
• Measurement using backlight on the specimen lower edge
• Measurement of deflection in the test axis or of the polynomial approximation of the curve

Maximum deflection that can be measured: with videoXtens the maximum deflection corresponds to the FOV; with videoXtens Array to 1/3 of the total FOV (in this case deflection is measured with one camera only).