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Mechanical Testing

The mechanical testing lab is equipped with multiple instruments for testing in tensile, compressive, and torsional modes; dynamic compression with confining pressures up to 100,000 psi; multi-axial loading (quasi-static and fatigue); cyclic stress-strain; stress relaxation; low and high cycle fatigue; thermal cycle fatigue; initiation and growth of microcracks; and tensile/creep in hydrogen to 3,000 psi.

Most tests can be conducted from -320 to 3,000 degrees F and many specimen designs are available for testing. Machines are available to test polymers, metals, ceramics, and all types of composites. Each instrument is attached to a personal computer for data acquisition, analysis, and reporting. Most ASTM standard tests can be run, and testing can be performed with ISO 9000 certification.

For further information, please contact:  Ben H. Thacker, Ph.D., Peter McKeighan, Ph.D., or Dan Nicolella, Ph.D.
 

Materials Development Section separate.gif (834 bytes) Materials Engineering Department
Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division
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November 03, 2008