01dB-Metravib: New fatigue testing machine

01dB-Metravib will inform at K about its new fatigue testing machine DMA+300, specifically designed for fatigue tests on elastomers and crack growth tests. The principle of these tests consists in initiating a crack on one side of the elastomer film specimen and following up the growth of the crack using an optical system during a dynamic mechanical fatigue test.

DMA+300 testing device for fatigue tests

The device consists of a floor standing mechanical test frame, control and acquisition electronics, and a computer station equipped with the software Multitest. It includes a thermal chamber designed for an operating temperature range well beyond the requirements commonly encountered for elastomer analysis, i. e., from –?150 to 600 °C. The test can be carried out by setting the specimen to a specific oxygen rate. A cutting system is integrated inside the front door of the thermal chamber. A cut can then be made in the specimen to initiate a crack, very precisely and repeatedly. In front of the thermal chamber the motorised binocular microscope allows to precisely follow up the crack growth.