#MaterialTesting #HighRateTesting #DropTower #Materials

Clients often face challenges when developing products or processes for high-rate applications due to the difficulty in performing high-rate testing. Our client form the materials industry approached us to test some novel metal alloys to extreme high rates similar to those recorded during the launch of space rockets and satellites.

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We have long-standing experience performing tests using drop rigs. Predominately such a device is used for compression tests but we have developed and validated bespoke test fixtures to allow other types of testing; for example, compression to tension adapters.

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These fixtures have been used to conduct a series of high rate tensile tests on various alloy samples. In these tests, we measured the load above and below the specimen using 6-axes load cell and displacement using high-speed video images (up to 10,000 frames/second). We also instrumented the samples and the device with multiple strain gauges and accelerometers (sampled at 25kHz). This equipment is able to be modified based on the needs of the client and any high-rate project.

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For testing at extremely high-strain rates, we can also perform tests using a split Hopkinson pressure bar.