Servo-Hydraulic Impact Testing

Tests can also be performed using servo-hydraulic actuators with velocities up to 5m/s. A piezo-electric load washer is used to measure the loads and a custom Labview® program controls data collection and recording.

Typical tests using the servo-hydraulic test machines include:

Screening of adhesive systems (i.e. substrate/adhesive/surface preparation) for impact performance - various geometry test pieces including lap shear, peel etc
Investigation and development of highly strain rate sensitive materials used at high strain rates
Cleavage of adhesive joints
Development of impact protection systems for composite structures
Impact of composite panels by foreign objects (indentor geometry can be varied to simulate various objects)
Stressed impact of composite panels - where composite panel is stressed in tensile direction and impacted at right angles (shown right)
Impact testing of windscreen/windshield adhesives at various cure times