Tools for Composites Fatigue

Have you noticed an increase in the levels of research and testing carried out on composites materials?

Composite materials exhibit some fantastic material properties and ever increasing popularity in light weight applications can present some real challenges when it comes to materials testing. One of the hot topics in composites research is to better understand the accumulation of damage and the fatigue life of composite coupons and simple components. Whilst these mechanics are well understood in the world of metals there is still little standardization in the field of composites fatigue.

If you are struggling to cope with the demands of composites testing on your existing machine or lucky enough to be considering a new machine, please have a look below at some of the great features and benefits offered in the world of composites testing by Instron.

Any of the items below are perfect for adding onto your new or an existing Instron testing frame. If you have some end of year budget left over in your lab consider adding any one of them to your existing machine to learn more from your composite materials or improve the accuracy and repeatability of your results. If you need any specific fixtures for your static testing we also support most major static composites standards.

From alignment and frame stiffness, through to non-contacting strain and cycle free system tuning, we have the perfect add-on for your system new or existing to help you get the results you need, first time, every time!

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Strain Gauge Adapter Box

This device significantly increases the efficiency of your testing if you use bonded strain gages to measure strain in your composite specimens. Plug in strain gauged specimen wires in seconds, without the use of other tools.

Advantages

Investment level: Low
Improves Reliability
Improves Productivity

National Instruments Thermocouple Module

Monitor specimen temperatures with this affordable input device, which interfaces directly with your WaveMatrix Software for additional temperature readings. This cost effective tool measures temperature for use with Instron SSHC modules.

Advantages

Investment level: Low
Improves Capability

Specimen Self Heating Control (SSHC)

This software module is an extension to your existing WaveMatrix Software that ensures composites specimens don’t overheat during fatigue loading from the heat generated by their own internal friction. Optimise your test frequency automatically to reduce test times, control temperature, and decrease scatter.

Advantages

Investment level: Medium
Improves Reliability
Improves Productivity
Improves Capability

WaveMatrix Calculations Module

This module can be added to your existing WaveMatrix Software to create real-time calculations such as modulus and cycle energy, that you can use to control and gain additional insight into material properties. The module includes a library of 30+ built in calculations for common parameters, as well as the ability to write your own calculations using C#.

Advantages

Investment level: Medium
Improves Productivity
Improves Capability

Thermal Camera

If you are interested in Instron’s patented SSHC module, these cameras are a great alternative to measuring temperature with a thermocouple. Get more detail and full specimen surface temperature information during your fatigue tests.

Advantages

Investment level: Medium
Improves Reliability
Improves Productivity
Improves Capability

Align PRO & Software

Machine alignment is critical with composite material testing and Instron can offer mechanical fixtures, strain gauged alignment specimens and software to guide you to precision alignment. If you are interested in machine alignment on older Instron machines or non-Instron frames, please contact our engineering team to discuss your requirements.

Advantages

Investment level: Medium
Improves Reliability
Improves Capability

AVE2 Non-Contacting Video

The AVE2 is our innovative, non-contacting, dynamic extensometer, capable of strain control for fatigue tests at up to 20Hz, or providing full field DIC strain maps for static testing. This device is not susceptible to the high energy failures of composites specimens which can damage traditional contacting extensometery. Trust your strain data test after test with the AVE2.

Advantages

Investment level: High
Improves Reliability
Improves Productivity
Improves Capability

Stiffness Based Tuning

Tuning is essential to the effective control of a dynamic test machine and this revolutionary system will optimize your control without the need for pre-cycling specimens with damaging square wave loading. Our patented stiffness based tuning technique gives unparalleled ease of use and develops confident machine users in your lab. Unlock the power by upgrading your system to our latest 8800MT controller electronics.