Competency Group: Material Science
Type: Measure Hardware
Description: Pull testers, which are also known as electromechanical or universal testing machines are most commonly used for static testing in a tensile or compression mode within a single frame. Additional test types include tensile, compression, shear, flexure, peel, tear, cyclic, and bend tests. Capacities for these systems range from low-load forces of 0.5 kN (112 lbf) up to high-capacity 600 kN (135,000 lbf) test frames. These systems are frequently configured for automated testing. Samples of material or components are pulled to the breaking point, giving not only material, but physical shape of the component's stress strain characteristics.
Citation for Description: Instron. (2012). Instron Products: By Product Type, Electromechanical Systems. Retrieved from http://www.instron.com/
Units: Stress/Strain Characteristics and Breaking point tests.
Advantages: Necessary to guarantee that a material and component will survive in the conditions it was built for.
Limitations: Will cost a couple of prototypes which will be deliberately broken.
Regulations: International Organization for Standardization. (2004). ISO 7500-1:2004. Retrieved from http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=34821
Target Audience: Engineering, R&D
Relevant to Universal Design: No
Stages and Steps: 2.2, 4.2, 4.12, 5.2, 5.3