Center Smart Materials and Adaptive Systems CeSMA
Center Smart Materials and Adaptive Systems CeSMA

Mechanical Testing of Polymers

Mechanical characterization is very important for accurate material research, so in addition to standard tensile tests, endurance tests and dynamic measurements of polymers can be carried out.

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Dynamic Endurance Testing

  • Up to 8 rubber samples simultaneously
  • Measurement frequency: 0.1 Hz - 10 Hz
  • Stroke-controlled test with wide stroke range: max. 50 – 150 mm
  • Strain > 100 %
  • Force detection by 8 load cells
  • Measurements of conductivity under cyclical linear strain
  • Testing up to 10 Million cycles


     
Dynamic Endurance Testing
© Fraunhofer ISC
Dynamic endurance test rig for measuring 8 samples simultaneously
Change of electrical resistance
© Fraunhofer ISC
Change of electrical resistance depending on number of linear strain cycles

Tensile Test

Additional, the quasi-static tensile test (equipped with optical strain measurement for accurate strain detection) is used for determination of
 

  • Tensile strength
  • Elongation at break
  • Tensile energy
  • Modulus of elasticity (Young-modulus)
  • Tear strength of polymers
  • Mullins effect

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

DMA is used for determination of: glass transmission, softening, storage and loss modulus, Arrhenius-plot

 

  • Measurement mode: strain, compression load, shear stress, bending; relaxation
  • Specimen size: thickness 0,05 – 4 mm; width 1 – 12 mm; length 5 – 40 mm
  • Stroke range: 5 µm – 300 µm
  • Measurement frequency: 0.01 Hz – 100 Hz
  • Temperature range: - 100 °C –  +500 °C
  • Force: max. 8 N