A system and a method for measuring drilling damage in fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) composites is described. Multiple holes are drilled in the FRP composite using a drill having nominal diameter, and the FRP composite is separated into multiple drilled blocks. Each block, covered with the black substrate, is scanned on a scanner to generate a scanned image depicting a hole region, a background, and delamination damage peaks. For each scanned image, a maximum delamination damage peak and a maximum diameter of a first circle concentric with the drilled hole and passing through tip of the maximum delamination peak, are measured. Further, a delamination size and a delamination factor are calculated based on the maximum diameter of the first circle and the nominal diameter of the drill.

The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for determining properties of a sample (110) arranged in at least one receptacle (130) of a container device (120). The apparatus (100) comprises an actuator (30) which is configured to be coupled to the sample (110) via at least one holding element (34) which is configured to hold the sample (110). Further, the actuator (30) is configured to apply a mechanical stimulus to the sample (110) via the at least one holding element (34). The apparatus (100) comprises a force sensing device (20) which is configured to be coupled to the sample (110) via at least one cantilever (22). Further, the apparatus (100) comprises a frame (1), wherein the actuator (30) and the force sensing device (20) are configured to be mounted to the frame (1), and wherein the frame (1) is configured to be arranged on the container device (120). When the actuator (30) and the force sensing device (20) are mounted to the frame (1) the at least one holding element (34) and the at least one cantilever (22) are arranged in the at least one receptacle (130) when the frame (1) is arranged on the container device (120).

A test apparatus includes a first grip, a second grip movable relative to the first grip, a test specimen disposed to provide a load path between the first grip and the second grip, and a test chamber disposed to both substantially envelope the test specimen and move with one of the first grip and the second grip. The test chamber does not contact the test specimen. Another test apparatus includes, a first grip, a second grip movable relative to the first grip, a test specimen disposed to provide a load path between the first grip and the second grip, a first test chamber disposed to both substantially envelope the test specimen and move with one of the first grip and the second grip, and a second test chamber disposed to both substantially envelope both the test specimen and the first test chamber.

A strain testing rig for an elongate specimen has a first grip for the first end portion of the specimen, a second grip for the second end portion of the specimen, and a drive mechanism for moving the first grip away from the second grip to stretch the specimen lengthwise. The first grip and the second grip are configured to maintain a grip on the specimen as the cross section of the specimen decreases during stretching. Each of the first grip and the second grip can include a tapered dog, a press for compressing the respective end portion of the specimen, and a clamp for clamping the respective end portion of the specimen in a direction perpendicular to the action of the clamp. A method of testing strain characteristics can involve using digital image correlation to separately measure strain on each of the at least three independent strain zones.

A method and apparatus for rotating a test specimen and simultaneously applying a torque, bending moment, and an axial load without the applied forces interfering with each other.

According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a material testing apparatus (100), comprising: guide means (110); sample holding means (120) for holding a sample (130); force means (140) comprising a first actuator (210) for applying a releasable force to the sample (130); a crosshead (150) supported on the guide means (110) and arranged to support at least a portion of one or both of the sample holding means (120) and the force means (140); an energy store (220) arranged to store regenerative energy from at least the first actuator (210); an energy consumer (230) arranged to, at least in part, consume energy from the energy store (220), wherein the energy consumer (230) comprises the first actuator (210); and a controller (170) configured to control the first actuator (210) to release the force applied to the sample (130), wherein the first actuator (210) is arranged to output the regenerative energy in dependence on the release of the force.

An apparatus and method for preparing Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) specimens are disclosed as an apparatus and method for conducting Mode I fracture resistance testing using the DCB specimens. In a first embodiment, a drill jig is used to locate the DCB specimen and guide a drilling process during creation of at least one through-hole in the DCB specimen. The drilling process may employ a traditional drill and drill bit, a laser drill, or a water jet. In another embodiment, a set of rotating pin blocks, each with a full-round or a half-round specimen pin at one end and a hanger full-round pin at the other end, engage the DCB specimen and facilitate the internal application of a fracturing load to the DCB specimen for the Mode I fracture resistance test. The present invention may significantly reduce the time and materials needed to prepare and test a DCB specimen.

An object hardness measuring device includes a first side portion, a second side portion, a pedestal unit, a load unit, a measuring unit, and a holding unit. The load unit applies a load to the measurement object. The measuring unit is able to measure, in a state where the load acts on the measurement object, at least one of a movement distance of the second side portion with respect to the first side portion and a change amount of the load when the second side portion is moved either at a predetermined speed or to a predetermined position. The holding unit is able to hold the measurement object, and is movable between the first side portion and the second side portion by the slide rail unit.

An in-situ tensile device for X-ray tests is provided, including: a frame including a connecting structure, where the connecting structure is configured to fixedly connect to a testing bench of a testing device; a stretching mechanism, disposed on the frame; a clamping mechanism, including two clamping assemblies arranged opposite to each other in a length direction; where the two clamping assemblies are configured to clamp two ends of a testing piece, the testing piece is provided with a testing surface, and the testing surface is disposed on surfaces of the two clamping assemblies; the stretching mechanism is drivingly connected to the two clamping assemblies to enable the two clamping assemblies to move synchronously in one of a direction approaching each other and a direction far away from each other; and the two clamping assemblies are detachably connected to the stretching mechanism. The device can improve the accuracy of test results.

A portable flexure fixture including a fixture housing, a translatable plug, a load ring, and a support ring. The fixture housing includes a first end opposite a second end, a plug receiving opening extending into the first end and a test opening extending into the second end. The support ring is disposed in the fixture housing. The translatable plug is insertable into the plug receiving opening of the fixture housing and is translatable in both a sample engaging direction and a sample releasing direction. Further, the load ring is coupled to the translatable plug and is positioned at a sample facing end of the translatable plug such that translation of the translatable plug in the sample engaging direction translates the load ring in the sample engaging direction and translation of the translatable plug in the sample releasing direction translates the load ring in the sample releasing direction.