SwRI: Characterization of Dynamic Material Response performs high-rate tests in tension, compression, torsion, and three-point bend

  image of SwRI High Rate Test Facility
 

SwRI High Rate Test Facility

The performance of materials at high strain rates is of interest for various applications, including structural, military, and sports. Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has a long history of characterizing the high strain rate response of materials and is capable of performing high-rate tests in tension, compression, torsion, and three-point bend.


The SwRI High Rate Test Facility is equipped with instrumentation for measuring, recording, and analyzing test data for strain rates approaching 5,000 s-1. High-speed imaging systems are also available to record the high rate response.


Microstructural characterization of tested material can be accomplished to determine deformation and failure mechanisms. The facility is staffed with experienced personnel who can adapt test conditions to meet unique requirements.


Dynamic Test Capability

  image of dynamic mechanical test specimens
 

Dynamic mechanical test specimens

  • Tension ( < 2 × 103 s-1)

  • Compression ( < 5 × 103 s-1)

  • Torsion ( < 2 × 102 s-1)

  • Fracture toughness

 

Materials Testing Experience

  • Porous materials

  • Concretes

  • Rocks and soils

  • Powders

  • Metals

  • Ceramics

  • Concretes

  • Polymers

  • Composites

 

image of a compressive shear band and associated local microcracking in a tungsten alloy tested at a high strain rate
 

Compressive shear band and associated local microcracking in a tungsten alloy tested at a high strain rate

 

Dynamic Test Equipment

  • Split Hopkinson pressure bar systems

  • Environments: vacuum, air, Ar, N

  • High temperature (T < 1,000 °C)

  • High-speed torsion actuator

  • Nicolet high-speed data acquisition system

  • High-speed strain gage amplifiers (10 MHz)

  • High-speed imaging systems

  • IMACON ultra high-speed digital camera (up to 108 frames/second)

  • Kodak high-speed video system

  • Displacement mapping system (DISMAP)

  • Confining pressure apparatus (pressures < 300 MPa)

 

Materials Characterization

 
image of strain field image showing damage in a metal foam following high strain rate compression testing
 

Strain field image showing damage in a metal foam following high strain rate compression testing

  • Strain field image showing damage in a metal foam following high strain rate compression testing

  • Deformation response: stress-strain curves

  • Strain rate sensitivity

  • Failure mechanism determination

  • Shear band identification

  • Deformation measurements (DISMAP)—measures post-test deformation in strained material

  • Constitutive model development

 

Support Facilities

  • Metallurgical laboratory

    • Scanning electron microscopy

    • Energy dispersive spectroscopy

    • Auger spectroscopy

    • Optical microscopy

    • X-ray diffraction

  • Ballistics and Explosives Range

  • Mechanical test laboratory

    • Low strain rate material characterization

    • High-temperature testing

    • Testing in extreme environments

  • Full-service machine shop

 

For more information about characterization of dynamic material response capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Kathryn A. Dannemann, Ph.D., at kdannemann@swri.org or (210) 522-2523.

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions using multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving. The Institute occupies more than 1,200 acres and provides nearly two million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops, and offices for more than 3,300 employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.