Fatigue testing of polymer components, products and structures, RPC software and dynamic testing

Components, Products and Structures

Engineering and materials knowledge used to:

Define appropriate tests conditions
Establish reliable basis for accelerated testing
Interpret modes of failure and failure mechanisms
Support finite element analysis and life assessment studies

Specialist test fixture design enables a variety of components and structures to be tested in multi-axis tests using a minimal number of actuators

Service related fatigue loading

Dynamic durability testing of polymers and components under complex loading conditions in single or multi-axis (linear actuators, torsion etc) using MTS Systems Component RPC software. Service-acquired data can be analysed and used to control the test machine actuators. Service data can also be analysed to define accelerated fatigue test conditions.

Some example applications:

Anti-vibration components for automotive, rail, oil & gas, marine and civil engineering (mounts, bushes, hangers etc)
Bonded structures
Medical devices and implants
Inflatable dams for irrigation schemes
Aircraft canopy and windscreen seal crack growth studies
Rotor components fabricated from composite materials
Aircraft landing gear, brakes and seals
Materials tests on radomes fabricated from sandwich structures
Rocket motor propellants performance
Aero engine seals and components
Torsional testing of automotive and aerospace drive shafts
Changes in load profile of medical devices through fatigue and wear
Understanding fatigue failure of automotive hydro-mounts and replicating the failure on a test rig
Rail pads in bi-axial shear/compression
Design optimisation of suspension bushes for low fatigue – includes geometry and rubber compound developments and improved low temperature performance