Materials Testing

There are a variety of test methods that can be applied in materials testing:

• In (quasi-) static testing or static materials testing loading on the specimen is slow and constant. In static materials testing the strength and deformation behavior of specimens and components, predominantly subjected to tension, compression, and flexure, as well as shearing or torsion, is determined. Static materials testing, relative to dynamic materials testing is performed with lower test speeds.

• For dynamic testing the specimen is subjected to an impact load or the load periodically influences the specimen over a longer period of time. Dynamic materials testing refers to the (destructive) test on materials or components, which is performed with quick movement (dynamic). Examples include pendulum impact testers, drop weight testers, high-speed tests (puncture or high-speed tensile tests).

• Cyclic materials testing/fatigue testing: in cyclic materials testing, loading on the specimen takes place in continuously recurring load cycles. Depending on the machine, these load cycles can be in the form of tensile/compression, pulsating or alternating load in sinusoidal shape, triangle shape, etc.

In destructive testing, specimens are extracted from a material and tested for mechanical or chemical loads. The specimen is destroyed or altered (on the surface). After the test, the tested component, or material specimen can no longer be used.

Destructive materials testing plays a particularly an important role in the automotive and aerospace industries, since material fatigue presents a very high risk factor in these sectors. At the same time, materials and components testing has become indispensable in the medical industry.

In most test methods the specimen is destroyed:

• Tensile test
• Compression test / crush test
• Flexure test
• Fatigue test
• Fracture mechanics
• Impact test
• Drop weight test
• Melt flow test: MFR and MVR measurement plastics
• High-speed tensile test
• Test methods for sheet metal forming
• Shear test
• Biaxial test
• Creep Test

In non-destructive testing (NDT), the quality of a specimen is tested without damaging it. In this way it can be ensured that the material quality is high enough for further processing and that it can reliably withstand loads for the long-term.

Non-destructive test methods include:

• Hardness test
• Static and dynamic friction test
• Rebound test
• Component test
• Function test

Materials testing includes a variety of test methods with which the behavior and material characteristics of standard specimen materials or finished parts and components (components testing) under mechanical, thermal or chemical loads are determined. The test method requirements vary among different industries.

Our machines are used in research and development and quality assurance in more than 20 industries. Our experts have a detailed understanding of the individual requirements of each of these industries and meet your specific testing needs with state-of-the-art solutions.

The ZwickRoell Group is a global leading supplier of static materials testing machines specifically designed for tensile, compression, flexure, shear, and torsion tests.

Our static materials testing machines are suitable for testing applications in all areas, whether in quality control or research projects, delivering outstanding performance in challenging materials and components testing situations.

For decades, the ZwickRoell Group has been successfully providing solutions for dynamic materials testing. Our experts work hand in hand with our customers, and therefore guarantee the perfect solution for every industry.