The mechanical testing laboratory offers a wide range of equipment for studying the mechanical behaviour of components and material samples, using destructive and non-destructive methods.
The laboratory allows examination of the conditions and parameters that affect material strength and durability due to stress, fatigue, fracture and corrosion. It is important that materials are tested to determine how they behave throughout their lifecycle. The laboratory contains state-of-the-art modern testing equipment, and is used for education and industry-led research.
The loading of specimens and components is possible under uniaxial tension, compression, and bending, for both static and fatigue testing.
A range of inspection, non-destructive testing equipment and structural health monitoring systems are used for crack and stress measurement.
Key facts
- Fully-equipped workshop and lab technicians for industry led research, teaching and project support.
- A range of static test machines and accessories for tensile, compression, bending, fracture toughness, DCB, and more testing.
- A range of servo-hydraulic materials and fatigue testing facilities.
- Strain gauges: which link to P3 strain indicator and recording system, which can be linked to a computer for analysis.
- Fully automated software's for performing KIC and JIC fracture toughness testing and analysis according to standard test methods.
- Compliance measurements in fracture mechanics tests using calibrated clip gauges.
Key equipment
Static testing machines – these can be configured for industrial bespoke research requirements, all Instron controllers. We have a range of machines and load cells which have the following load cells and are able to test a range of specimens types and sizes:
- 100kN
- 30kN
- 5kN
- 2kN
Servo hydraulic fatigue testing machines – these can be configured for industrial