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 ;

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.

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 HW 14 is then placed on the end of the rod. a force of up to 50 kN 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. The testing application note for this grip is available from the resource area of our School of testing microsite or by clicking here .