The Testing Times

Used for testing reinforcing bars or reinforcement bar ( Rebar ) for the construction industry. The way that mass produced R ebar 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.

830-001 ASTM D2519-02 Electrical Insulating Varnish The ASTM standards (sometimes) give accurate and very precise instructions on how a specific test should be performed. This is an example of one of these tests, the parts and method are explicitly layed out within the standard document. This attachment uses a 3 point bend applied to a coil to test the strength of Electrical Insulating Varnish. The coil, made from various metals, are wrapped tightly around an anvil. The anvil is then removed and the coil placed in the varnish solution. The coated coil is then placed in this 3-point bend and then tested. This is then used to show the properties of the varnish when applied to the metal. As this test uses the appropriate materials in an accurate situation it should produce good results.

A flexural test tells the tester how much force a specimen can withstand in the middle when supported at a distance (or its flexibility!). This test supports the specimen between two loose fitting ‘rollers’, the distance apart of which can be set for a specific test or specimen size. Once the sample is in place the anvil can be brought down just above the specimen. A variety of tests can then be performed. The specimen can be flexed a certain number of times to judge it’s elasticity or plasticity over a given time. The specimen could be flexed until it breaks, it could be flexed for a specific time and the responding force measured. This is a Heavy Duty system, which has been designed to suite the U-Series 100 kN System . It has a travel of 400mm from centre (800mm overall) and Ø10mm rollers. This can all be recorded in the software and multiple specimens can be tested.