“TECNALIA is committed to excellence in the evaluation and continuous improvement of composite materials, which are vital for industrial progress”
Advances in composite evaluation: TECNALIA boosts the reliability of critical applications
TECNALIA’s team of materials engineering experts is leading innovative projects and studies, with the aim of refining testing techniques for examining the durability of both materials and prototypes of significant dimensions. TECNALIA carries out tensile, compression and bending fatigue tests, adapting to different load levels and temperatures, depending on the specific requirements of the application.
The increasing use of plastics and composites in critical, high exposure applications has highlighted the importance of subjecting these materials to rigorous dynamic tests and creep tests. TECNALIA recognised this challenge and has responded using its determination and experience.
Why are these dynamic tests essential? Because they make it possible to assess the reliability and durability of these materials when subjected to cyclic or prolonged loads over time. In a context where emerging production processes such as additive manufacturing are reshaping the industrial landscape, it is essential to ensure the reliability of the plastics and composites used in specialist applications.
Dynamic tests and creep tests play a fundamental role in evaluating and improving plastics and composites, ensuring that they are reliable and durable in a variety of critical applications
Dynamic tests and creep tests are essential when it comes to evaluating the behaviour of composite materials, such as glass or carbon fibre reinforced plastics, under varying load conditions over time. These tests provide crucial information on the strength, durability and deformation capability of composites in real-life situations.
In materials engineering, dynamic testing plays a crucial role in evaluating the performance and durability of plastics and composites. TECNALIA will look at three of the main types of dynamic tests used to evaluate composite materials:
- Tensile fatigue: this test subjects materials to cyclic tensile loads, below their breaking load, in order to assess the durability of the material (number of cycles withstood) against the cyclic load applied. Testing at different load levels makes it possible to assess the service life of the material depending on the load to which it will be subjected.
- Compression fatigue: similar to the tensile fatigue test, cyclic compressive loads are applied to materials. This is a useful test when the main operating mode is under compression, where materials will not be subjected to tensile stresses. These tests can also be combined, meaning a tensile-compression fatigue test can be carried out.
- Bending fatigue: in this test, a cyclic bending load is applied to the material to assess its resistance to repetitive bending. This aspect is particularly important in applications where the material is subject to continuous bending or variable distributed loads, e.g. in structures used for railway foundations/tracks.
Creep tests are also crucial when it comes to understanding the long-term behaviour of these materials, particularly plastics:
- In creep tests, a constant load is applied to the material at a specified temperature for a specified period of time. This makes it possible to evaluate the deformation of the material under constant load. The duration of the test can range from a few hours or minutes to several months, depending on the material and its application. Another aspect worth noting is the test temperature, which is a fundamental parameter in the creep behaviour of a material.
- Creep tests are obtained by deforming at a given temperature without increasing the load on a material over time. This knowledge is essential for predicting service life and long-term performance in practical applications.
