FRACTURE TOUGHNESS

Plain Strain Fracture Toughness (KIc) and Critical Crack Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD) Tests can be performed to BS7448 (Referenced in AS2205), ASTM E399 or ASTM

Fracture Toughness data will provide our client with accurate data on how their material reacts to stress with planar defects present (such as cracks or laminations). This data can then be fed into Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) or Elastic Plastic Fracture Mechanics (EPFM) Models.

This type of information is vital when determining critical crack sizes within existing plant, design compliance for new plant or what tolerance levels are required when specifying Non Destructive Testing procedures.

ADVANCED FATIGUE

The advanced fatigue package not only allows for standard inputs, such as sinusoidal waves and ramp inputs, but also user defined non-symmetrical wave forms. For example a wave form can be set-up to simulate the load experienced while walking when testing replacement hip joints.

Alternatively real life loading can be simulated through the Servo-Hydraulic System. Acquired digital data can also be fed into the control system to simulate real life loading. From here estimates of safe life can be determined or designs confirmed.

STATIC TESTING

The Merlin Static Testing Software allows the Servo-Hydraulic System to test materials / welds typically performed by Universal Testing Machines, such as tensile, compression and bend tests. However, the higher controllability of the servosystem coupled with the feedback control system mean the Servo Pulser can perform tasks over a wide range of strengths providing highly accurate data every
time.

The software package will automatically calculate Yield, Modulus and Break Points, in whichever units our client requested. All results are provided on an easy to read report format.