A universal testing machine is used to assess the strength of materials. A universal testing machine offers enhanced control and stability during a materials testing process. A universal testing machine also helps ensure accuracy and repeatability. The strength or mechanics of materials is an area of materials science focused on calculating material stresses and strains. A number of tensile strength and compressive strength materials tests exist, including but not limited to tear, elongation, elasticity, plasticity, 3-point bend, deflection, deformation, fatigue, fracture and failure tests. The range of tests is so wide that it allows for testing a wide range of materials under very different conditions (e.g., different speeds, loading rates, forces, etc.).

   Materials testing conducted with the help of a universal testing machine should be carried out in compliance with standards established by entities such as DIN, ISO and ASTM. In addition, proper safety precautions should be taken to prevent accident and injury. For example, commonly referenced standards for the testing of plastic and rubber materials using a universal testing machine include DIN 51233, ISO 527 and ISO 37. As PCE Instruments (PCE) is committed to worker safety and protection, each PCE-branded universal testing machine is manufactured in compliance with the machinery directive 2006/42/EG.

Objective

• UTM is used to test the tensile strength and compressive strength of materials.

• UTM can be used to test a wide variety of materials like concrete, steel, cables, springs, steel wires and chains, slings, links, rope, winches, steel ropes, etc. UTM provides the value of load application and the respective displacements.

Operating Mechanism

• In this test, you one clamp holds one material and the other clamp holds the other materials. Then you pull them apart for a few inches. The force is measured up to 1000 times per second during the test and the average of all of the force readings are reported as the “average peel force”.