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Insights for Materials Testing Professionals
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May 12, 2026
Why Additive Manufacturing Requires a Different Approach to Mechanical Testing
3D printed parts exhibit anisotropy, inhomogeneity, and surface defects that demand precise, repeatable testing.
May 11, 2026
Hair Fiber Tensile Testing Equipment
Hair care manufacturers use universal testing machines to validate product performance claims through mechanical testing methods including single hair fiber tensile testing and hair combability testing. Tensile testing measures the peak force required to break a treated hair fiber, generating stress-at-break values in MPa or psi that substantiate strength claims. Combability testing quantifies frictional resistance as a standardized comb passes through a hair tress, providing objective data for moisturizing and smoothing claims. Both methods use low-force load cells (1–10 N) and controlled crosshead speeds on systems such as the Instron 6800 or 3400 Series, producing reproducible data that meets industry standards.
April 17, 2026
How Do Drop Towers Improve Tensile Strength Impact Testing?
Drop tower tensile impact testing gives insight into how materials behave under high-speed loading conditions.
March 3, 2026
Q&A Introducing the AT1 Automation System
Learn how Instron’s new AT1 automation system improves repeatability in thin film and elastomer testing in this Q&A.
February 19, 2026
Calibration vs. Verification: The Language of Accuracy
Calibration and verification are not the same. Here is what each term means and why both matter.
January 27, 2026
Calibration Provider Selection: How Calibration Uncertainty Affects Your Test Accuracy and Risk
Every measurement carries a degree of variability — and the size of that variability determines how much risk you are carrying. Calibration uncertainty affects the accuracy of your test results, your compliance with testing standards, and the quality of the products you ship. This post expands on Instron's video series of the same name, explaining what calibration uncertainty is, how to evaluate what a calibration certificate actually tells you, and what to look for when choosing a provider — including accreditation scope, published uncertainty values, and how pass/fail decisions are made.
January 19, 2026
Building Better Drug Delivery Devices
Learn how early device testing and strategic partnerships improve drug delivery development, reduce risk, and support formulation–device collaboration.
January 19, 2026
Why Precision Matters in Composites Testing
See how meticulous specimen prep and precise strain control drive dependable composite test data.
August 22, 2025
How to Connect Transducers to Instron Systems: Four Methods
Integrating third-party sensors and transducers into an Instron testing system — whether for force, strain, temperature, pressure, or displacement — requires choosing the right connection method for your setup. This article covers the four supported approaches: analog 0–10V input, rationalized connection with self-identification and auto-calibration in Bluehill Universal, custom polynomial calibration for non-Instron transducers, and digital data input via third-party equipment such as the HBM QuantumX MX430B.