The Testing Times

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

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;

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.

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 3 kN then compress allowing the machine to stop before exceeding 5 kN and destroying the loadcell .

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 ;