COMPOSITES TESTING
For over 70 years, Instron has supplied more than 75,000 testing systems to the world’s leading manufacturers, and educational, scientific, and research institutions. Instron is a pioneer in the field of composite materials and has been developing systems and participating in ASTM and ISO standards committees to develop new testing methods since the beginning of this industry.
For 40+ years, Ian McEnteggart, Instron's Composites Market Manager, has been helping hundreds of composites companies around the world advance their businesses with Instron testing systems. He's also Chair of the UK Composites Standard Committee and a member of various ISO committees.
- Article: Composite Testing Challenges, Part 1: Introduction to Mechanical Testing of Composites
- Article: Composite Testing Challenges, Part 2: Strain Measurement for the Mechanical Testing of Composites
- Article: Composite Testing Challenges, Part 3: Testing Systems
- Article: Mechanical Testing of Composites
- Article: Strain Measurement Techniques for Composites Coupon Testing
- Webinar: Reducing Variability in Composites Testing
- Webinar: Tips and Tricks for Testing Composites
- Webinar: Q&A Session | Composite Laminate Testing
- Webinar: The Challenges of Composites Testing
- Webinar: A Guide to Composites Fracture Toughness and Sandwich Construction Testing
- Slide Deck: Strain Measurement Techniques for Composites Testing
- Guide: ISO 527-4 Tensile Testing of Composite Materials
- Guide: How to Perform a Tensile Test on Composite Materials to ASTM D3039
Visit our FAQ to find answers to the most frequently asked questions about composites testing.
We offer a wide range of grips and adapters compatible with stringent alignment requirements, that allow tensile and or compression testing without having to remove the primary grips and therefore compromising alignment. These grips are also compatible with chambers for non-ambient testing and advanced extensometry solutions for most accurate strain measurements.
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| Maximize Uptime Reliable, Precision Aligned Frames with Debris Protection Pre-loaded bearings and precision ball screws, a thick crosshead and base beam, and low-stretch drive belts contribute to better performance and minimize the energy stored during a test, reducing damage from shock-loads at the end of the test. Seals and filters protect your systems’ electronics from harmful composite dust and debris. Learn More About Universal Testing Systems |
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| Ensure Audit Compliance Precision Alignment to Nadcap Our EM Frames’ very solid design ensures minimal compliance and bending, achieving Nadcap alignment requirements without an alignment cell. For more complex test machine configurations the same machine can easy be configured with an alignment cell and software to minimize bending. Learn More About Alignment |
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| No Swapping Load Cells 1000:1 Measurement Range Learn More About Load Cells |
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| Improve Throughput Chambers with Rapid Heat Up and Recovery Times Learn More About Environmental Chambers |
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| Quickly Switch Between Test Types Wide Range of Interchangeable Grips and Fixtures to meet ASTM/ISO/EN Standards Learn More About Composite Test Fixtures |
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| Simple to Use Touch Operated Bluehill Universal Software with Comprehensive Library of Composites Test Methods Learn More About Bluehill Universal |
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Measure Strain Accurately Range of Contact and Non-Contact Measurement Solutions Learn More About Extensometers |
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In addition to offering a full suite of Instron composite test fixtures, our systems are also compatible with all Wyoming Test Fixtures - ensuring all of your ASTM and ISO standards can be run on Instron systems.
View Grips & Fixtures
Our environmental chambers will enable you to test the mechanical properties of composite materials and components over a wide range of temperatures from -150 °C up to +600 °C, controllable in Bluehill Universal. The chambers are equipped with multipaned windows to be able to view the test and enabling the use of non-contact extensometry. Rapid heat up and cool down times improve productivity of operators and throughput of test specimens.
View ChambersExtensometers are used extensively for composites due to their need for precise strain measurement. Instron builds and calibrates contacting and non-contacting extensometers that have been specifically designed for testing composite materials. Instron systems also play nicely with strain gauges.
View Extensometers
The Bluehill® Universal Composite Module includes many composite testing standards to make testing simple and more consistent across many different systems and labs.
RECOMMENDED SYSTEMS
To Perform the Most Common Test Types for Composites
Instron high force universal testing machines perform tensile, compression, bend, peel, tear, and other mechanical tests on materials and products to ASTM, ISO, and other industry standards.
Drop towers and pendulum systems for qualifying the impact resistance of composite and other materials. From basic un-instrumented to fully instrumented systems with ultra-high speed data acquisition.
Servohydraulic and electrodynamic systems with force ranges from 1 kN to 5,000 kN (200 lbs to 1,000,000 lbs), for dynamic testing of composite materials and components.
Instron's global team of 200+ sales and application engineers combined with state of the art testing laboratories near London and Boston ensure that Instron innovates with partners at the leading edge of composites in an effort to keep you and your Instron system compliant with global testing standards.
Contact your local sales engineer to discuss your composite testing needs.