School of Testing

Tinius Olsen have just launched the School of testing website. This focus site is designed specifically for the Education Industry, with a very helpful Question and Answer section with our very own Testing expert Mr David Lockyer.

If you have any questions regarding your materials testing machine, or servicing your materials testing machine why not visit http://www.schooloftesting.com/

Maintenance and servicing your Materials testing machine and grips

If you are noticing variations in results from your tensile tests, and these cannot be attributed to the material under test, it is worth considering the condition of your test specimen gripping equipment. In particular grip faces e.g. face profiles on metal jaws, condition of rubber faced jaws and grip pressure activation systems e.g. springs, quality of pneumatic air or hydraulic oil – often these parts are consumable items and will wear over time.

Regular servicing (preventative maintenance) and calibration is your best insurance that this type of problem should not occur during normal machine use, progressive and undetected wear of the gripping system faces is one of the biggest contributors to poor testing results. Remember that in almost all cases grip face wear will take place and regular checking and replacement (when necessary) should be a prerequisite of a proficient testing laboratory.

For more information please contact the Tinius Olsen Help Desk on +44 (0) 1737 765001

150kN Hydraulic Grips

This is a large High force Hydraulic tensile grip.

Spring pre-load jaws are held open magnetically to facilitate the easy loading and unloading of samples. Once the sample is loaded, a handle releases the magnetic hold to initiate the sprung pre-load retention of the sample.

The grip has an adjustable sample width stop, and a gauge below the jaw face to set sample thickness. Adjustable fixed jaw ensures the sample remains centered at all times. There is also a choice of jaw faces to suit the application.

For more information please contact Tinius Olsen.

Product and Material test fixtures "Gripping systems"

Tinius Olsen is a leading global specialist manufacturer of materials testing machines, with an extensive product range covering low and high force testing of both raw materials and finished components.
Our machines are suitable for use in manufacturing industries, as an integral part of quality control, product strength and performance analysis, research, and education.

A typical testing system as seen here, is comprised of a testing machine/test frame, control and analysis software, and critically, the test fixtures, accessories, parts and devices used to hold and support the test specimen. These parts are referred to as the “Gripping System” and are typically comprised of two components — an upper and a lower grip, which together hold and/or support the material under test and accurately transmit the forces being applied, obvious examples include mechanical testing grips, adhesive peel tests, 3 point flexure bend, Friction tests and many more. In some cases the material or test specimen is not of a standard size or shape, and custom test fixtures/ “specialized test components” are made to hold the specimen in place in order to run the test and are engineered to meet specific testing standards. A selection of these custom test attachments can be found on this site.

The test fixture or Gripping System is an integral part of a successful test and credible repeatable test data. The process of setting up a test should be fast and easy to achieve. The specimen must be held firmly and consistently for every test, and the system should be safe. Tinius Olsen’s standard range of test fixtures/Gripping Systems meet this criteria and are designed to test materials such as sheet metal, rebar, concrete, composites, wood, paper, board, rubber, plastics, textiles, non-wovens, and filter materials, insulation, leather, adhesives, and many more, as well as a diverse range of finished components including bearings, automotive clutch plates, fasteners, keyboards, electronic devices and printed circuit boards, zips, contact lenses, seat belts and even food products such as ice cream, fruit, and vegetables.
Using Tinius Olsen test fixtures/ Gripping Systems it is possible to apply forces in tension, shear, compression, flexure (bend), puncture (burst), friction, insertion, and extraction.
Beyond the standard gripping range, a specialist engineering team at Tinius Olsen works closely with international standards organizations such as ISO, JIS, ASTM, EN, and other industrial standards bodies, to continually develop ‘custom gripping solutions’ in support of customer development of tests for new materials and components.
Our team of specialist engineers work in house, continuously designing new grips and fixtures to hold and support these materials/ components for a successful test in order to meet the ever growing demands from customers.

The standard range of gripping solutions and technology can be found on our Tinius Olsen website if you require a Gripping System not profiled here, please share your needs with Tinius Olsen as we are developing new products every day.

Testing Metals? Need advice? Ask the Metals Testing expert!

Earl A. Ruth, is the metals testing expert here at Tinius Olsen. You can ask Earl about any metals testing questions or problems you may have here at his Testing Metals Blog.

For Metals testing advice including Compression testing, Flexural testing, hardness, Impact, Sandwich Peel, Shear, Tear, Tension, Torsion testing and more contact Earl.

Earl has been a key member of the ASTM International Committee E28 on Mechanical Testing since 1985, responsible for 53 standards. He might just have the answer to that Metals testing problem you've been seeking an answer for, he is a very clever chap!

Visit his ASTM director page here;

H5KS and H5KT Through Base Test Machines.

These are variations of our popular H5KS and H5KT machines. They have been specially designed for testing packaging and furniture.

The machines are securely bolted to the work bench (up to 30mm thick). The bottom M16 fitting is removed to allow an extension rod to be fed through a bearing. Attachments can be added for box crushing, seat and mattress testing, anything that will fit below your bench. Replace the lower fitting and it's back to business as usual.

270-026 300x300 Compression Platen load limited to 3kN

This is a special for testing thin cardboard and foam samples.

The problem is that the sample goes from zero load to solid in 1 - 2mm.

The platen is designed to remain stable up to 3kN then compress allowing the machine to stop before exceeding 5kN and destroying the loadcell.

Testing Plastics? - Contact the expert

Harry Yohn, the plastics testing expert here at Tinius Olsen has a blog of his own.

Why not contact Harry direct with any plastics testing questions you may have on mechanical tests such as Tensile strength, Tensile Modulus, Flexural testing, Melt Flow Indexers, Impact testing, Heat Deflection Temperature (DTUL) testing, Vicat testing and more.

Harry has a wealth of knowledge in the field of mechanical and physical testing of plastics and is here to help with all your polymer needs.

Visit Harry's blog here;

S0281 - Reinforcing Bar Rebend Test to BS4449, BS4482 & BS4483

Used for testing reinforcing bars or reinforcement bar (Rebar) for the construction industry.

The way that mass produced Rebar is made requires test for consistency throughout a products manufacture life cycle.

The sample is placed on the lower support rollers, then bent to a certain angle (depending upon test). It is then treated (heated to a specific temprature) and then rebent, back to straight and an observations are taken.

717-001 - Mesh Weld Shear Test

This attachment is used to test the strength of the welds that hold mesh together.

The mesh is often used as a reinforcement for concrete structures. as this is a structural component it is essential to test the consistency of the weld in any given section.

A joint is cut from the mesh and placed in this attachment. A grip, the HW14 is then placed on the end of the rod. a force of up to 50kN is then applied and the shear strength of the weld measured.

There is some adjustment in the design with a sliding plate that allows for different gauges of wire.

The applicable standards are: BS4483, ASTM A185, ASTM A497 and ASTM A974