Material Properties Test Equipment
200,000 lb Universal Test Machine (UTM)
The workhorse of our lab is the large UTM with a capacity of 200,000 pounds in tension or compression. It can accept test specimens up to 10 feet tall, 30 inches wide, and 20 feet long. Monotonic and cyclic loading is available.
11,000 lb UTM
We use our Tinius Olsen H50KT UTM for a variety of small specimen tests including fastener performance and plastic and steel coupon tests.
Concentrated Static & Impact Load Panel Tester
Our panel tester is set up to conduct the basic load tests for OSB, plywood, or other sheet goods up to 4’x8’ and span ratings to 48 inches.
Large Panel Bender
Our bender measures the stiffness (EI) and ultimate bending strength of 4’x4’ OSB or plywood panel specimens.
Uniform Load
We have the ability to test uniform load, with test pressures up to 330 pounds per square foot, in several sizes – 4’x4’, 4’x8’, 4x12’, 4’x16’, 8’x12’, 9’x12’.
Thermal Shock Machines
This custom-built apparatus provides thermal cycling from hot and cold water impact. Multiple test specimens can be run at the same time. Typically set at 150°F/50°F for bath fixtures or 190°F/70°F for kitchen fixtures, the temperatures and cycling protocol can be customized as needed.
Environmental Chambers
We have a Tenney BTRC chamber with 3.6 cf capacity and a temperature range of -60°F to 250°F, and a Tenney TH27 chamber with 24 cf capacity and a range of -4°F to 200°F. Both chambers can provide humidity up to 95% RH.
Hot & Cold Rooms
If large-scale testing is needed at either high or low temperature, our 25’x30’ rooms can meet manufacturers’ needs for testing temperatures between 150°F and 10°F.
Abrasion Tester
Our Gardner Abrasion Testers scrub the surface of various materials with mild abrasives for thousands of cycles to determine the abrasion resistance of various materials. Test specimens are typically 3”x3”.
Colorimeter
We use a Byk-Gardner Spectro-guide 6801 instrument to measure color and gloss using a variety of color scales and lighting.
Impact Tester
We use a Tinius Olsen Impact Tester to measure both Izod and Charpy impact parameters. Testing is done both notched and un-notched.