The present disclosure relates to a traceable in-situ micro- and nano-indentation testing instrument and method under variable temperature conditions. A macro-micro switchable mechanical loading module, a nano mechanical loading module and an indentation position optical positioning module are fixed on a gantry beam, an optical imaging axis of an optical microscopic in-situ observation or alignment module and a loading axis of the nano mechanical loading module are coplanar, the optical microscopic in-situ observation or alignment module and the function switchable module are mounted on a table top of a marble pedestal, and a contact or ambient mixed variable temperature module is fixedly mounted on the function switchable module. A modular design is adopted, the micro- and nano-indentation testing instrument is used as a core, in combination with a multi-stage vacuum or ambient chamber, an indentation depth traceability calibration module and multiple sets of optical microscopic imaging assemblies.

An apparatus for testing paving samples includes a base that includes a paving sample tray about the cabinet and configured for translation relative to the cabinet. A roller is configured for imparting compressive forces to a sample carried by the sample tray. An arm is configured for moving the roller from a stowed position to an in-use position where the roller contacts the sample. A cylinder assembly having a piston therein supplies pressure forces to the arm to move the arm from the stowed position to the in-use position, wherein a depth of travel of the arm is limited by the sample. As the sample is compressed, the depth of travel increases. A measurement device is in communication with the cylinder for determining an amount of travel of the arm to thus determine an amount of compression of the sample.

The present disclosure relates to a traceable in-situ micro- and nano-indentation testing instrument and method under variable temperature conditions. A macro-micro switchable mechanical loading module, a nano mechanical loading module and an indentation position optical positioning module are fixed on a gantry beam, an optical imaging axis of an optical microscopic in-situ observation or alignment module and a loading axis of the nano mechanical loading module are coplanar, the optical microscopic in-situ observation or alignment module and the function switchable module are mounted on a table top of a marble pedestal, and a contact or ambient mixed variable temperature module is fixedly mounted on the function switchable module. A modular design is adopted, the micro- and nano-indentation testing instrument is used as a core, in combination with a multi-stage vacuum or ambient chamber, an indentation depth traceability calibration module and multiple sets of optical microscopic imaging assemblies.

An apparatus for testing paving samples includes a base that includes a paving sample tray about the cabinet and configured for translation relative to the cabinet. A roller is configured for imparting compressive forces to a sample carried by the sample tray. An arm is configured for moving the roller from a stowed position to an in-use position where the roller contacts the sample. A cylinder assembly having a piston therein supplies pressure forces to the arm to move the arm from the stowed position to the in-use position, wherein a depth of travel of the arm is limited by the sample. As the sample is compressed, the depth of travel increases. A measurement device is in communication with the cylinder for determining an amount of travel of the arm to thus determine an amount of compression of the sample.

Provided is an apparatus for evaluating high-temperature creep behavior of metals, the apparatus including a chamber configured to fix a metal sample in an inner space sealed from an external environment, and including, at a lower portion, a metal tube stretchable in a length direction by a pressure of a gas, wherein the apparatus is configured in such a manner that a load received by the chamber in the length direction due to the pressure of the gas injected into the chamber is applied to the metal sample.

Disclosed herein are systems, devices and methods for creep testing selected materials within a high-temperature molten salt environment. Exemplary creep testing systems include a load train for holding a test specimen under a load within a heated inert gas vessel. An extensometry system can be included to measure elongation of the test specimen while under load. The extensometry system can include fixed members and axially translating member that move along with the elongation of the test specimen, and the system can include a sensor to measure the relative axial motion between such components to measure elongation of the test specimen over time. The test specimen can include a cylindrical gage portion having an internal void filled with a molten salt during creep testing to simulate the corrosive effect of the molten salt on the specimen material during testing.

An apparatus for testing paving samples includes a base that includes a paving sample tray about the cabinet and configured for translation relative to the cabinet. A roller is configured for imparting compressive forces to a sample carried by the sample tray. An arm is configured for moving the roller from a stowed position to an in-use position where the roller contacts the sample. A cylinder assembly having a piston therein supplies pressure forces to the arm to move the arm from the stowed position to the in-use position, wherein a depth of travel of the arm is limited by the sample. As the sample is compressed, the depth of travel increases. A measurement device is in communication with the cylinder for determining an amount of travel of the arm to thus determine an amount of compression of the sample.

An apparatus for testing paving samples includes a base that includes a paving sample tray about the cabinet and configured for translation relative to the cabinet. A roller is configured for imparting compressive forces to a sample carried by the sample tray. An arm is configured for moving the roller from a stowed position to an in-use position where the roller contacts the sample. A cylinder assembly having a piston therein supplies pressure forces to the arm to move the arm from the stowed position to the in-use position, wherein a depth of travel of the arm is limited by the sample. As the sample is compressed, the depth of travel increases. A measurement device is in communication with the cylinder for determining an amount of travel of the arm to thus determine an amount of compression of the sample.

An apparatus for testing paving samples includes a base that includes a paving sample tray about the cabinet and configured for translation relative to the cabinet. A roller is configured for imparting compressive forces to a sample carried by the sample tray. An arm is configured for moving the roller from a stowed position to an in-use position where the roller contacts the sample. A cylinder assembly having a piston therein supplies pressure forces to the arm to move the arm from the stowed position to the in-use position, wherein a depth of travel of the arm is limited by the sample. As the sample is compressed, the depth of travel increases. A measurement device is in communication with the cylinder for determining an amount of travel of the arm to thus determine an amount of compression of the sample.

Disclosed herein are systems, devices and methods for creep testing selected materials within a high-temperature molten salt environment. Exemplary creep testing systems include a load train for holding a test specimen under a load within a heated inert gas vessel. An extensometry system can be included to measure elongation of the test specimen while under load. The extensometry system can include fixed members and axially translating member that move along with the elongation of the test specimen, and the system can include a sensor to measure the relative axial motion between such components to measure elongation of the test specimen over time. The test specimen can include a cylindrical gage portion having an internal void filled with a molten salt during creep testing to simulate the corrosive effect of the molten salt on the specimen material during testing.