Methods and devices are disclosed for tracking site-specific microstructure evolutions and local mechanical fields in metallic samples deformed along biaxial strain paths. The method is based on interrupted bulge tests carried out with a custom sample holder adapted for SEM-based analytical measurements. Embodiments include elliptical dies used to generate proportional and complex strain paths in material samples. One example holding device includes a base having a floor and walls that extend to form a chamber for a sample, the floor having apertures for receiving a pressure-supplying fluid, a cover having an opening and configured such that the cover and base can be coupled together to tightly clamp a sample in the chamber, and washers disposed between the base and the cover, each washer having openings extending therethrough change at least one of a shape and a size of the opening formed in the cover.

Methods and devices are disclosed for tracking site-specific microstructure evolutions and local mechanical fields in metallic samples deformed along biaxial strain paths. The method is based on interrupted bulge tests carried out with a custom sample holder adapted for SEM-based analytical measurements. Embodiments include elliptical dies used to generate proportional and complex strain paths in material samples. One example holding device includes a base having a floor and walls that extend to form a chamber for a sample, the floor having apertures for receiving a pressure-supplying fluid, a cover having an opening and configured such that the cover and base can be coupled together to tightly clamp a sample in the chamber, and washers disposed between the base and the cover, each washer having openings extending therethrough change at least one of a shape and a size of the opening formed in the cover.

A method of facilitating hardness measurement of a rock sample involves receiving force information representing forces applied to the rock sample during roll crushing, determining size information representing a size of the rock sample, and determining, based on at least the force information and the size information, at least one hardness parameter representing hardness of the rock sample. A method of facilitating hardness measurement of a rock sample from a drill core involves receiving force information representing forces applied to the rock sample during roll crushing of the rock sample, determining, based on at least the force information, at least one hardness parameter representing hardness of the rock sample, and associating the at least one hardness parameter with at least one location from which the rock sample was extracted. Other apparatuses, methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided.

A method of facilitating hardness measurement of a rock sample involves receiving force information representing forces applied to the rock sample during roll crushing, determining size information representing a size of the rock sample, and determining, based on at least the force information and the size information, at least one hardness parameter representing hardness of the rock sample. A method of facilitating hardness measurement of a rock sample from a drill core involves receiving force information representing forces applied to the rock sample during roll crushing of the rock sample, determining, based on at least the force information, at least one hardness parameter representing hardness of the rock sample, and associating the at least one hardness parameter with at least one location from which the rock sample was extracted. Other apparatuses, methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided.

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.

Expandable Jacket surrounding a pressuremeter probe prevents barrel shape to form and maintains cylindrical shape with uniform radial displacement throughout its height, removing shortcomings of the existing pressuremeters. For the pressuremeter probe to determine horizontal stress versus plane strain relationship in soils and intermediate geomaterials, an expandable comprises of one layer of circular arch shaped segmented plates surrounded by flexible bands or rings. The expandable jacket surrounds a membrane which itself surrounds a porous tube with holes. Borehole less than the diameter of probe is drilled either by pre-boring or self-boring and then pushing the probe with cutter ring. For the pressuremeter probe to determine horizontal stress versus plane lateral strain relationship for rocks, the expandable jacket comprises of two layers of the circular arch shaped segmented plates surrounded by flexible bands or rings and first layer surrounding a plurality of pistons, and second layer surrounding the first layer.

Expandable Jacket surrounding a pressuremeter probe prevents barrel shape to form and maintains cylindrical shape with uniform radial displacement throughout its height, removing shortcomings of the existing pressuremeters. For the pressuremeter probe to determine horizontal stress versus plane strain relationship in soils and intermediate geomaterials, an expandable comprises of one layer of circular arch shaped segmented plates surrounded by flexible bands or rings. The expandable jacket surrounds a membrane which itself surrounds a porous tube with holes. Borehole less than the diameter of probe is drilled either by pre-boring or self-boring and then pushing the probe with cutter ring. For the pressuremeter probe to determine horizontal stress versus plane lateral strain relationship for rocks, the expandable jacket comprises of two layers of the circular arch shaped segmented plates surrounded by flexible bands or rings and first layer surrounding a plurality of pistons, and second layer surrounding the first layer.

In a material testing machine including a load actuator including a shaft configured to make a linear motion, and configured to apply a load to a test piece through the linear motion of the shaft, the load actuator includes a bearing configured to support the shaft, and the bearing serves as an air bearing.

In a material testing machine including a load actuator including a shaft configured to make a linear motion, and configured to apply a load to a test piece through the linear motion of the shaft, the load actuator includes a bearing configured to support the shaft, and the bearing serves as an air bearing.

A bench for mechanical characterisation of a battery cell by applying a compression force includes a frame having a first compression plate, a movable element having a second compression plate opposite the first compression plate, a compression spring for applying a compression force to the cell between the first and second compression plates, a force sensor inserted between the movable element and the spring, and movement sensors measuring the movement between the first and second compression plates. The first compression plate includes a projecting compression zone with an area equal to a portion of interest of the cell and the frame includes a recess surrounding a thicker frame in the frame forming a pedestal supporting the first compression plate.