Technology ServicesMacrostructural Characterization of Materials
In our materials macrostructural characterization lab we can conduct a wide range of mechanical tests to establish the behaviour of materials under different load conditions.
One of the principal applications of mechanical tests is to experimentally obtain data on the behaviour of a material that may then be inputted in calculation software so as to be able predict by simulation the performance of a part made of that material and even to optimise its geometry by redesigning it.
Materials to be characterised
We perform mechanical tests on all kinds of materials: plastics, metals, textiles, foams... so as to obtain their behaviour curves. We also conduct testing to evaluate the performance of certain geometries, such as the strength of a sandwich-type arrangement or the energy absorption capacity of a material with a honeycomb structure, or e.g. the strength of joints by means of glues, rivets, welds, and so on.
Types of tests
The conditions of load and stress application are diverse and are usually envisaged in both Spanish and international standards: UNE, ISO, ASTM, DIN, SAE or client specifications.
The following are common standard tests:
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Tensile
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Shear
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Torque
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Flexural
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Shear
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Peel
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Fatigue
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Compression
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Creep
Depending on the test to be conducted, we provide an additional sample preparation service with the support of our own machining workshop and plastic injection service.
Equipment and resources
Testing takes place in a room with controlled temperature and humidity conditions.
The lab has several universal test benches for all kinds of mechanical tests. These machines can be coupled to climatic chambers enabling material characterisation under controlled temperature conditions.
These test benches can withstand up to 250kN and be combined with other auxiliary sensors, such as a wide range of strain gauges with different ranges (axial, biaxial, for fatigue, etc.), modular load cells with different ranges, motion sensors, pressure sensors, thermocouples, and so on.
Furthermore, we have been applying extensometry methods for many years now, so we either routinely use strain gauges during testing in order to obtain the strain of materials subjected to stresses or we manufacture our own transducers according to each client’s needs.
In the event a tailored test is needed owing to the special characteristics of the part or application in question, we can design and produce special tools enabling us to test under the desired conditions thanks to our own design department and manufacturing workshop, which are integrated in our organisation and are very proficient in this field.
Dynamic characterization testing
The behaviour of materials under static and dynamic conditions is very different, both characterizations requiring in many cases different measurement resources, procedures and systems.
We have a long history of testing in both fields and have developed diverse material characterisation methodologies which allow us to generate complete material cards to be integrated in the specific simulation calculation software.
This new methodology yields real curves of the behaviour of materials at different strain rates. It is based on the local, contactless measurement of strain by means of high-speed cameras and its subsequent analysis by photogrammetry.
The generation of curves at different strain rates renders the material behaviour surface, from which the material cards are derived. Since they include actual measurements, these material cards prove to be more predictive in simulation models.
We are also capable of carrying out these characterisations under different temperatures conditions, from -100ºC to 200ºC.
Certified testing
Our lab’s operation conforms to quality standard ISO 17025. We have different tests certified by ENAC for the mechanical characterisation of materials:
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§3-point flexural properties of plastic materials, as per UNE-EN ISO 178.
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§Static tensile properties of plastic materials, as per UNE-EN ISO 527-1 and 527-2.
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§Static tensile properties of metallic materials, as per UNE-EN ISO 6892-1.
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§Puncture impact behaviour of plastic materials, as per UNE-EN ISO 6603-2.
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§Mechanical properties of fasteners, as per UNE-EN ISO 898-1.
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§Mechanical properties of fasteners (bolts), as per UNE-EN ISO 2098-1.
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Constant-amplitude fatigue of metallic materials, as per EN-6072 and ASTM E466.
Learn more about our capabilities in material and joint characterization visiting the webpage of our brand MatScience Labs
Aleixandre Campos nº 2
47151 Boecillo (Valladolid) Spain
[+34] 983 54 80 35
info@cidaut.es
Col. Reserva territorial Atlixcayotl, C.P. 72810
San Andrés Cholula, Puebla, México.
+52 22 2247 0005
