Solutions by Industry » Mechanical Testing Solutions for Composites

COMPOSITES TESTING

Trusted by global leaders in aerospace, automotive, energy and R&D, Instron delivers advanced solutions for composite materials testing.

Over the last 75+ years, Instron has installed over 75,000 systems at top-tier manufacturers, research institutes and universities worldwide. From the earliest days of the composites industry, we have been at the forefront - developing test systems, contributing to ASTM and ISO standards, and enabling breakthrough materials innovation.

Instron testing systems are purpose-built for the unique challenges of composite materials, featuring robust frames, advanced ingress protection, and enhanced durability to withstand the shock and debris associated with extreme specimen failures. Our broad portfolio of grips and fixtures is engineered to meet stringent alignment requirements, while enabling tensile and compression testing without removing the primary grips - preserving alignment. Configurations integrate seamlessly with environmental chambers for non-ambient testing and support advanced extensometry for the most accurate strain measurement.

Reducing Variability in Composites Testing White Paper

Get Aligned: The Key to Reliable Testing

Misalignment is one of the biggest sources of variability in composites testing. This white paper breaks down the critical components - system, fixtures, and alignment tools - you need to get it right every time.

Download white paper

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

For Selecting a Composites Testing System

68FM Series Universal Testing System with Environmental Chamber

When selecting a testing system for composite materials, it's critical to evaluate the following performance and usability factors:

System Reliability & Uptime
Composites testing demands robust, precision-aligned systems that maintain performance under the most demanding applications.

Audit Compliance
Meeting Nadcap alignment requirements is critical for aerospace and other regulated industries.

Load Cells
Accurate force measurement across a wide range is essential for multi-purpose testing.

Non-Ambient Testing
Temperature control impacts throughput and test reliability.

Application Versatility
Composite testing often involves varied specimen types and standards.

Ease of Use
Software should support both new and experienced operators.

Accurate Strain Measurement
Reliable strain data is critical, especially during explosive material failures.

GRIPS AND FIXTURES

Engineered for Composites Testing

In addition to offering a comprehensive suite of Instron composite test fixtures, Instron systems are fully compatible with all Wyoming Test Fixtures. This ensures your lab can confidently perform a wide range of ASTM and ISO standard tests using Instron equipment.

VIEW GRIPS & FIXTURES

ALIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS

Meet Strict Application Standards

Accurate alignment is essential when testing composite materials, particularly to meet the rigorous standards of aerospace applications. Instron testing systems are precision manufactured with high axial and lateral stiffness. They feature large diameter ball screws with guidance columns, and are compatible with adjustable AlignPRO™ alignment fixtures to ensure optimal alignment throughout the test process.

This high level of precision supports Nadcap compliance, helping laboratories achieve consistent, repeatable results in demanding environments.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMBERS

Evaluate Composites Performance at High and Low Temperatures

Instron’s environmental chambers are engineered to support precise mechanical testing of composite materials across a broad temperature range—from -150°C to +600°C—with full control via Bluehill^® Universal software.

Each chamber features multi-paned viewing windows, allowing clear observation of the test process and enabling the use of non-contacting extensometers for accurate strain measurement.

Designed for efficiency, the chambers offer rapid heating and cooling cycles, helping operators maximize throughput and reduce downtime between tests.

View Environmental Chambers

STRAIN MEASUREMENT

Reliable Measurement for Composites Failure Conditions

Precise strain measurement is critical when testing composite materials, especially for safety critical applications. Instron manufactures and calibrates contacting and non-contacting extensometers specifically designed for composite testing, ensuring high accuracy and repeatability.

Instron systems also integrate seamlessly with strain gauges, giving you flexibility in measurement techniques to meet the demands of your testing standards

View Extensometers

Instron 68TM with AVE3 Advanced Video Extensometer

Bluehill Universal Composites Test Methods

BUILT-IN TEST METHODS

Faster Setup. Consistent Results.

The Bluehill Universal Composite Module includes a wide range of pre-configured composite testing standards, allowing you to get started quickly without the need to build methods from scratch. It also ensures consistent and repeatable testing across different systems and laboratories, helping you meet ASTM, ISO, and EN requirements with confidence.

RECOMMENDED TESTING SYSTEMS

For Composites Materials and Components

Instron High Force Universal Testing Systems

Universal Testing Systems
Instron universal testing machines are ideal for performing static mechanical tests such as tensile, compression, bend, and shear on composite materials and components. These systems support a wide range of ASTM, ISO, and other industry standards, ensuring reliable and repeatable results across labs.

Impact Testing Systems
Instron’s drop towers and pendulum systems are designed to evaluate the impact resistance of composite materials. From basic un-instrumented setups to fully instrumented systems with ultra-high-speed data acquisition, these solutions help qualify materials for demanding applications like aerospace and automotive.

Dynamic & Fatigue Testing Systems
Instron’s ElectroPuls^® and servohydraulic systems deliver dynamic testing capabilities for composites, with force ranges from 1 kN to 5,000 kN. These systems are ideal for fatigue, fracture, and cyclic loading tests, helping engineers understand long-term performance and failure modes under real-world conditions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For Composites Applications

How can I improve my productivity when I frequently need to change the test setup for our universal testing system?

Many labs require multiple test setups to accommodate different composite testing standards and specimen types. One option is to purchase a second test frame configured for your specific needs - though this can be costly and may not always be necessary.

Instron offers a more flexible solution: many of our grips can be equipped with adapters that allow you to “piggyback” smaller load cells or accessories from different setups and load ranges. This expands the capabilities of a single system, reducing equipment costs.

For even greater throughput and repeatability, Instron also offers automated testing systems like the AT3 and AT6, which streamline the testing process.

Additionally, Bluehill Universal software includes a library of pre-built test methods for common composite standards, making it easy to configure new methods—without building them from scratch.

How can I interface strain gauges to my Instron machine?

Our strain gauge adapters make it easy to connect strain gauges to a standard Instron strain channel. These adapters mount directly to the T-slot of your Instron test frame and incorporate simple spring-loaded terminals. Both two and three wire strain gauge connections are supported. The adapter is compatible with strain gauges with gauge factors between 1.5 and 2.5, and you can connect as many of these as there are strain channels available.

For tests with more strain gauges, we offer our Expansion Channel Module, which can be used to connect up to eight additional strain gauges—for a total of 11 strain gauges at one time on your Instron test frame. The Expansion Channel module comes with features such as adjustable data sampling rates, automatic recognition and electrical calibration of Instron load cells and extensometers, fully-synchronized data acquisition and logging across all machine sensor channels, and test control across any channel.

How can I be sure that my testing machine alignment will be sufficient for a Nadcap audit?

Instron test frames are engineered for exceptional stiffness, combining a solid mechanical design with high-precision manual or hydraulic grips. This minimizes compliance and bending, allowing some systems to meet Nadcap alignment requirements without the need for a separate alignment cell.

For more complex configurations, the same system can be easily equipped with an alignment cell and software to further reduce bending. Instron’s Service Team can perform a full alignment verification on your frame, helping you prepare for your next Nadcap audit with confidence.

Can I perform a low force interlaminar shear stress test and a high force tensile test on the same machine?

The combination of Instron-designed load cells and Instron advanced digital electronics on properly configured Instron test systems allows your setup to achieve accuracies of +/- 0.5% over a range of 1000:1 This eliminates the need to change load cells in the majority of testing situations, e.g. when switching from a high force tensile to a low force shear stress test.

Instron load cells are individually compensated and tested to ensure that they have a temperature coefficient of less than 0.001% of full output / degree C. Instron’s deadweight stack plays a critical role in the production of calibration standards that are used to verify working load cells at these types of enhanced accuracies and ranges.

For more information, watch our video that explains the accuracy and usable range specifications of load cells.

I currently test to ASTM D3039. In the future, I may need to test to ASTM “XYZ”. How can we future-proof our materials testing equipment?

Instron’s universal testing machines have standardized mechanical interfaces which can be connected to many different grips, fixtures, and accessories. If you are about to purchase a new system, our sales engineers will take your future needs into consideration when recommending the appropriate setup. If you already own an Instron system, you can simply purchase additional accessories and fixtures for your future testing needs.