Universal Testing Machine

Question 1

Is used to test the mechanical properties of a given test specimen by exerting tensile, compressive or transverse stresses (The Constructor).

Answer 1

Universal testing machine (UTM)

Question 2

Universal Testing Machine has been named as such because of the ____________ that it can perform over a wide variery of materials

Answer 2

wide range of tests

Question 3

They are driven by an electric motor and come in two main frame types: single column and dual column. Electromechanical systems are suitable for medium to heavy force testing applications. They are often tabletop machines (Industrial Physics).

Answer 3

Electromechanical UTM

Question 4

Adavantages of Electromechanical UTM

Answer 4

Provides high precision and does not require/use of hydraulic fluids making it less maintenance compared to the Hydraulic Testing Machine

Question 5

Generally reserved for high-capacity testing applications in “heavy” industry and are capable of testing at very high forces. They use the principle of hydraulic force to move the crosshead. They are typically very large pieces of equipment (Industrial Physics).

Answer 5

Hydraulic UTM

Question 6

Adavantages of Hydraulic UTM

Answer 6

It’s design for high-capacity applications, and has various testing including: Tension, Compression, Bending/Flexural, Shear

Question 7

It applies the mechanical force (load) to the test specimen to assess its material properties like strength, elasticity, or breaking point.

Answer 7

Load Unit

Question 8

It monitors and manages the testing process by controlling the amount of force applied and ensuring accurate measurement.

Answer 8

Control Unit

Question 9

It serves as the backbone of the Universal Testing Machine, providing the structural integrity and stability necessary to withstand the forces exerted during testing. Constructed from robust materials such as steel or aluminum, the load frame houses the moving components of the UTM and provides a secure platform for mounting grips, fixtures, and other accessories.

Answer 9

Load Frame

Question 10

The____________ is used to secure one end of the test specimen, while the ____________ in the load frame is adjustable, allowing its height to be changed by loosening + or tightening screws. Both crossheads feature a tapered slot in the center, which contains a pair of racked jaws designed to grip and hold the specimen during a tensile test.

Answer 10

Upper crosshead

Lower crosshead

Question 11

It serves as the primary force transducer in the Universal Testing Machine, converting mechanical force into electrical signals that can be measured and recorded. By accurately detecting the applied force, it enables precise control and measurement of tensile, compressive, and bending forces during testing. Advanced load cells employ strain gauge technology to achieve high levels of sensitivity and accuracy, ensuring reliable test results across a wide range of force levels.

Answer 11

Load cell

Question 12

Are precision measuring devices used to monitor specimen deformation during tensile testing. They provide accurate measurements of elongation or strain, allowing for the determination of mechanical properties such as elastic modulus, yield point, and elongation at break.

Answer 12

Elongation scales

Question 13

Usually, a separate device it is used to measure the elongation or deformation by clipping it unto the material, especially for hydraulics UTMs

Answer 13

Extensometer

Question 14

In some advanced systems, deformation is measured using high-resolution cameras that track the movement of speckle patterns applied to the specimen’s surface.

Answer 14

Digital Image Correlation (DIC)

Question 15

Some machines use built-in _________ crosshead to measure how much the crosshead moves during the test.

Answer 15

Displacement Sensors

Question 16

It is responsible for applying controlled forces to the specimen under test. The actuator may operate through hydraulic or electromechanical mechanisms. Hydraulic actuators offer high force capabilities, making them ideal for testing applications requiring immense force, while electromechanical actuators provide precise control and versatility, suitable for a wide range of testing scenarios.

Answer 16

Actuator

Question 17

This unit includes a pendulum dynamometer that features a small cylinder with a piston that moves in response to the non-pulsating oil flow. The pendulum is linked to the piston via a pivot lever, which deflects according to the load applied to the specimen. This deflection is then translated to the load pointer, displaying the applied load on a dial.

Answer 17

Load Measuring Unit

Question 18

It can be either electric or hydraulic. Electric control devices utilize switches to move the crossheads and turn the unit on or off. In contrast, hydraulic control devices comprise two valves: the Right Control Valve and the Left Control Valve The right control valve is responsible for applying the load to the specimen, while the left control valve is used to release that load.

Answer 18

Control Devices

Question 19

It is one of the primary functions of a UTM. It involves subjecting a specimen to axial tension until it reaches its breaking point. This test helps determine crucial mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and modulus of elasticity. Industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction heavily rely on tensile testing to assess the strength and durability of materials used in their products (NL Scientific).

Answer 19

Tensile testing

Question 20

the UTM applies compressive forces to a specimen, simulating conditions such as crushing or compacting. This test is vital for evaluating the compressive strength, deformation characteristics, and stability of materials under pressure. Applications include testing concrete, ceramics, and metal alloys for structural integrity and load-bearing capacity (NL Scientific).

Answer 20

Compression testing

Question 21

It assess a material’s resistance to deformation under bending loads. The UTM applies a controlled force to the specimen, causing it to bend until failure. This test is crucial for assessing the flexural strength, modulus of rupture, and stiffness of materials, particularly in applications where bending is a common mode of loading, such as beams, columns, and structural components (NL Scientific).

Answer 21

Bending tests

Question 22

It involves subjecting a specimen to parallel forces that are offset from each other, causing the material to deform along a plane parallel to the applied force. This test helps determine shear strength and shear modulus, which are vital for assessing the performance of adhesives, fasteners, and materials subjected to shear loading conditions (NL Scientific).

Answer 22

Shear testing

Question 23

It involves applying cyclic loading to a specimen to simulate repetitive stress conditions experienced during normal usage. The UTM monitors the specimen’s response to cyclic loading, helping identify fatigue failure mechanisms and predicting the material’s fatigue life. This test is crucial for industries such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing, where components are subjected to repetitive loading over time (NL Scientific).

Answer 23

Fatigue testing

Question 24

It evaluates a material’s resistance to twisting or torsional deformation. The UTM applies torque to the specimen, measuring the resulting angular displacement and torque values. Torsion testing is essential for assessing the torsional strength, modulus of elasticity, and shear stress-strain behavior of materials, particularly in applications involving rotating shafts, springs, and mechanical components.

Answer 24

Torsion testing