Bluehill® Fracture
Simplify Your Fracture Testing, Analysis, and Reporting
Bluehill Fracture is a dedicated fracture mechanics software from Instron. Machine control, data analysis, and reporting are performed for metals fracture toughness measurement to key international standards.
As a leading supplier of testing equipment for crack propagation and fracture toughness, Instron is aware of the challenges users face in reducing both the complexity and time taken to produce accurate, repeatable results. The Bluehill Fracture software package addresses these challenges.
Customizable test flows guide the user through the steps needed to produce final results, saving time by minimizing data entry at each step.
Comprehensive on-screen user guidance, along with automatic post-test analysis and reporting tools, also reduces the skill level and training required. Additionally, the layout, terminology, and test progression are common to other Instron software packages, such as Bluehill Universal.
Bluehill Fracture DCPD software brings the latest technology in direct current potential drop crack-length measurement to the platform — see Advanced Tools below or contact us to upgrade.
SIMPLER — Spend Less Time Setting Up Tests
Whether you are testing using a predefined method or customizing your own, Bluehill Fracture comes with the tools to create the method you need.
Method Definition
Bluehill Fracture's unique test workflow definition breaks the test into a logical series of steps, enabling the test designer to control the process of data entry before, during, and after the test.
Reducing repeat data entry for each test saves time and minimizes data entry errors. Parameters for each stage can be pre-populated prior to the test, imported automatically from a LIMS system, or entered manually every time a test is run.
Customizable Workflow — Workflows can be clear and simple or fully detailed, depending on your need. Guidance notes can be added to help operators throughout the test.
Intuitive Interface — The modern user interface is both intuitive and clear, allowing for reduced training and simplified instructions.
Save Time — Method steps can be tailored to suit the test type and operator, saving time and reducing errors.
SMARTER — Produce Results Faster
Although Bluehill Fracture is simple to use, it still offers many advanced features for analysis and report generation.
Run and Analyze Tests
Performing and analyzing fracture toughness tests has never been simpler than with Bluehill Fracture.
Select a test method to run — from a pre-defined list or your own customized method — and Bluehill Fracture will step you through the pre-test data entry you define, then, when ready, perform pre-cracking (if required) and move on to the main fracture test.
Run a Test
Pre-configured material properties and pre-cracking targets reduce user input and increase throughput.
Post-Test Analysis
The software guides operators through data input, graph plotting, and results calculation.
Report Generation
The report and export function within Bluehill Fracture automates the process of generating a summary report.
SAFER — Control User Access and Check Results
Validity checks confirm your tests are within predefined parameters, while security settings allow advanced users to protect areas of the method containing critical settings.
Analysis
Whether you need a summary in text output format or a fully customized PDF report in your organization's format, Bluehill Fracture provides the features to generate it at the click of a button — reducing complexity, time, and errors by avoiding additional data export and manipulation at the post-test reporting stage.
- Automatic Validity Checks — Bluehill Fracture provides both a summary check and a detailed breakdown of values and reference clauses for auditability. Validity checks are itemized and include achieved values and allowable limits.
- User Access — Account settings control who in the laboratory can change and update test methods.
- Stay Up to Date — A separate standards library keeps you current with the latest revisions through a simple upgrade.
Advanced Tools
In addition to more common tests, Bluehill Fracture provides measurement and analysis for standardized methods using direct current potential drop (DCPD) for crack length measurement.
Test control and method setup are similar to mechanical compliance-based methods, and raw data is stored in the same way. Signal noise depends greatly on the preamplification and conditioning of the DCPD system, so an additional averaging feature is available to stabilize readings during crack growth.
For fracture toughness determination, corrected displacement is calculated from user-specified frame compliance coefficients stored within the method, so correct analyses can be used across different load strings. Manual and automated methods of V0 determination are provided, with a configurable interval for generation of the J-da plot.
Supporting DCPD measurements:
- Accepts X or X/Y from any conditioning system as scaled 0–10V transducer input
- Live calculation of crack length for pre-cracking and fatigue crack growth experiments
- Automatic setting of reference voltage during test
- User-defined voltage–crack length relationships
- Post-test analysis for JIc according to ASTM E1820 Annex 18
Integration
Various functions are available to support integration with laboratory data management systems (e.g., LIMS), such as the option to automatically import generated inputs of specimen geometry and material properties.
Supported Features
Bluehill Fracture modules support all common test standards (ASTM, ISO, and BS) for crack propagation, ductile and brittle fracture, crack length measurement, and specimen geometries. Users can test to predefined standards, including ASTM E647, ASTM E399, ASTM E1820, and ISO 12135.
Compatibility
Bluehill Fracture is available with new ElectroPuls® and servohydraulic systems, as well as any existing dynamic testing system with an 8800 or 8800MT controller running Windows 10.
For the complete, current list of supported standards and specimen compatibility,
see the Bluehill Fracture standards and specimen compatibility tables
Talk to an Instron Expert.
Not sure which Bluehill Fracture configuration or standard fits your fracture toughness testing needs? Tell us about your application and we will help you find the right solution.
Contact Our Sales Department.
Please complete the form below and we will be happy to contact you with a response. Our typical response time for an online request is within 1-2 business days. For a faster response, please call +1-800-473-7838.
