Testing by Type

Adhesion is the bond strength measurement of a coating to a substrate. When an adhesive is bonded to an item or surface, numerous physical, mechanical and chemical forces come into play, which may have an effect on each other. These need to be tested before a product can be used. Determination of the failure point […]

Generally, there are two types of bending tests: 3-point bend and 4-point bend. The materials that are tested using the flex test method vary from metal, plastic, wood, laminates, particle board, dry wall, ceramic tile to glass. Bending tests vary greatly based on the product being tested. There are a variety of industry standards which […]

Bond strength generally involves determining the stress required to rupture a bond formed by an adhesive between two metal blocks. Often, the test involves the measurement of the shear and flexural bond strength of a bonding agent or a comparison of bonding agents under varying environmental conditions. The test may compare the fractured surface produced […]

One of the most common of all testing requirements is the determination of break strength. Break strength is generally the tensile or compressive load required to fracture or to cause the sample to fail. To determine the failure point or break strength, you will need to define what a break is (break detector). Generally, there […]

Coefficient of friction (COF) is the maximum value of the frictional force divided by the normal force. Coefficient of friction (COF) testing is used for a variety of materials from lubricants, to films to household items (ceramic tiles) to determine the frictional characteristics of a material. It is generally determined to be the ease by […]

Compression testing is a very common testing method that is used to establish the compressive force or crush resistance of a material and the ability of the material to recover after a specified compressive force is applied and even held over a defined period of time. Compression tests are used to determine the material behaviour […]

Creep testing should be conducted using a material tester, since speed control is critical to measuring the deformation over time. This test method is used to determine a sample’s creep properties when subjected to a prolonged tensile or compressive load at a constant temperature. The rate of deformation of a sample material to stress at […]

Crush resistance testing involves the measurement of a compressive load to a point when a sample deforms, fractures, shatters or collapses. This type of test may be applied to a variety of products including corrugated cardboard, glass, bearings, bricks, concrete, or any sample where crush resistance is important. This is a common test used in […]

Deformation testing evaluates the effect that load has on the shape of a sample. It is the measurement of a sample material to withstand a permanent deformation and/or the ability of the sample to return to its original shape after deforming. Deformation is measured as the percent change in height of a sample, under a […]

A climbing drum test is a typical peel testing method used to determine the delamination characteristics of adhesives used to bond different materials together. This test covers the determination of the peel resistance of adhesive bonds between a relatively flexible adherent and the relatively flexible facing of a sandwich structure and its core. When a […]

Ductility involves determining the extent by which a material can withstand plastic deformation without rupture. Bend test for ductility provides a simple way to evaluate the quality of materials by their ability to resist cracking or other surface irregularities during one continuous bend. With a ductile fracture, there is a considerable amount of plastic deformation […]

The durability performance of various adhesives is performed to assess the overall durability of a given adhesive. Lap-shear joints should be tested under a range of stress, relative humidity and temperature. Tests may also be used to determine the affects of various surface preparations or substrates on durability of adhesive joints.

Determining the elastic limit of a material involves the measurement of the greatest stress that can be applied to a sample without causing permanent deformation. Metals or other rigid materials with a straight-line portion in their stress/strain curve have an elastic limit approximately equal to the proportional limit. Arbitrary approximation of the elastic limit of […]

The increase in a sample’s gauge length measured after a rupture or break divided by the sample’s original gauge length is referred to as elongation. The greater the elongation, the higher the ductility or elasticity of the material. Elongation cannot be used to predict the behaviour of materials subjected to sudden or repeated loading. Some […]

Flexural testing is used to determine the flex or bending properties of a material. Sometimes referred to as a transverse beam test, it involves placing a sample between two points or supports and initiating a load using a third point or with two points which are respectively call 3-Point Bend and 4-Point Bend testing. Maximum […]

Force measurement is used in many differing types of applications and may be accomplished with devices utilizing differing technologies. Typical applications include measurements of tension and data and/or compression and are directed at capturing properties such as strength of a material, component or a bond. Read more about force measurement here.

Coefficient of Friction (COF) is the maximum value of the frictional force divided by the normal force. Coefficient of Friction (COF) testing is used for a variety of materials from lubricants, to films and household items (ceramic tiles) to determine the frictional characteristics of a material. It is generally determined to be the ease by […]

In the past force measurement generally meant obtaining a peak load measurement on a product, part or material to verify or validate that the product or part could exceed or withstand a specified load. Force measurement was generally accepted as a fairly innocuous test performed in the lab or on the production floor. Material testing, […]

Uniformity and enhancement of meat eating quality is seen as an important factor in the sustainability of the Scottish (and UK) red-meat sector, in securing increased high-end market share locally and internationally. A number of factors affect meat eating qualities, both in terms of the way the animals are reared and at the processing stage […]

Modulus of elasticity (or Young’s Modulus) is a measurement of the rate of change of strain as a function of stress. It represents the slope of the straight-line portion of a stress-strain curve. With respect to tensile testing, it may be referred to as Tensile Modulus. This method of testing is used to determine a […]

Peel strength is generally used to measure the bond strength of a material, typically an adhesive. Peel strength is the average load per unit width of bond line required to separate bonded materials where the angle of separation is 180 degrees. Typical graph showing a peel strength test:

Puncture strength testing Puncture strength tests are used to determine the puncture or rupture characteristics of a material. This is generally a compressive test where a material is compressed by a probe or other type of device until the material ruptures or until an elongation limit is achieved. Puncture testing is commonly used to determine […]

Rupture testing, synonymous with puncture strength testing, is used to determine the puncture or rupture characteristics of a material. This is generally a compressive test, when a material is compressed by a probe or other type of device until the material ruptures or until an elongation limit is achieved. Rupture testing is commonly used to […]

When selecting a supplier to fulfill your testing, calibration or measurement needs, you need to be sure that they can supply you with accurate and reliable results.  Whilst a laboratory can reassure you that they are technically competent, or you can attempt to evaluate the service yourself, neither provides you with confidence that you have […]

Shear testing is performed to determine the shear strength of a material. It measures the maximum shear stress that may be sustained before a material will rupture. Shear is typically reported as MPa (psi) based on the area of the sheared edge. Shear testing is commonly used with adhesives and can be used in either […]

Single column force testers today represent the largest single market segment of the force testing marketplace for a number of reasons. Capacities now range from a couple of ounces up to 500 Lbf, with a few models offering capacities up to 1,000 Lbf. Read more about single column force testers here.

This test method is used to determine a sample’s creep properties when subjected to a prolonged tensile or compressive load at a constant temperature. The rate of deformation of a sample to stress at a constant temperature is known as the creep rate. It is the slope created by the creep vs. time. Creep generally […]

Tear resistance testing can be found in plastic film, paper and textile industries. Tear resistance is the measurement of a sample’s ability to resist tearing. Tear resistance can be impacted considerably by the speed of the test, e.g. test speed used in generate the tear. Tear propagation resistance for the purpose of acceptance testing is […]

Tear strength is the tensile force required to rupture a pre-slit woven fabric sample under controlled conditions. Edge tearing strength of paper is the load required to tear a sample over a V-notch fixture. Typical graph showing a tear strength test:

One of the most common testing methods, tensile testing, is used to determine the behavior of a sample while an axial stretching load is applied. These types of tests may be performed under ambient or controlled (heating or cooling) conditions to determine the tensile properties of a material. Tensile testing is performed on a variety […]

Businesses are turning to the Internet for a wide variety of purchases, including scales. Although convenient and sometimes less expensive, online purchases can be misleading. Knowing exactly what is being purchased from the Internet is essential— especially if the scale is going to be used in buying, selling or shipping applications. The scale may be […]

Toughness is the measurement of a material’s resistance to break, fracture or rupture. It is usually measured in units of energy or work. Typical graph showing a toughness test:

‘Young’s Modulus’ or modulus of elasticity is a measurement of the rate of change of strain as a function of stress. It represents the slope of the straight-line portion of a stress-strain curve. With respect to tensile testing, it may be referred to as Tensile Modulus. This method of testing is used to determine a […]