This blog describes how universities could create a future-ready material testing laboratory that would have the right material test equipment required for education and research purposes in engineering. The blog lists some important types of material test equipment such as universal testing machines, hydrostatic pressure testers, environmental testing chambers, corrosion chambers for salt spray, melt flow indexers, box compression testers, and material hardness testing equipment. The blog also discusses how to assess the capabilities of the material test equipment, the price of material test equipment, and the costs of material test equipment, among other things.
Reasons for Universities to Have Advanced Material Test Laboratories
Modern engineering education is shifting towards practical experimenting, product development, and research rather than theoretical ones. A well-furnished laboratory will help students see how materials act under tensile, compressive, thermal, environmental, pressure and corrosion loads.
Advanced material testing equipment will be able to serve undergraduate laboratory work, graduate research, faculty research and cooperation with industry. Furthermore, the equipment can help universities link classroom education with quality control outside of it.
At the stage of laboratory planning, universities have to consider not only the price of material test equipment but also its accuracy, testing range, standards, usability, maintenance, calibration and possibility for upgrade in the future.
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1. Universal Testing Machine for Mechanical Testing
A Universal Testing Machine (UTM) is one of the most vital instruments for any engineering establishment’s material testing laboratory.
UTMs can be employed for tensile testing and similar mechanical tests on various materials and parts. The TESTRON UTMs come in different types, such as benchtop and servo electronic units up to more powerful electro-hydraulic servo units.
The applications include the following:
- Tensile properties and elongation studies
- Comparison of mechanical properties
- Study of metals, plastics, and other materials
- Laboratory studies by students
- Product and part development
Thus, a UTM can be utilized in several engineering courses as well as being a basis for mechanical materials studies.
2. Hydrostatic Pressure Tester for Pipe Testing
In cases where a university offers a program in civil, mechanical, polymer, or materials engineering, pressure testing can be used for valuable practical research.
The TT-HPS Hydrostatic Pressure Tester is meant for assessing the resistance to internal pressure and short-time hydraulic burst strength of plastic pipes and fittings, such as PE, PEX, PVC, PP, and PB. The testing system allows for testing the resistance to internal pressure and burst for long time periods based on standards such as ISO 1167, ASTM D1598, and ASTM D1599.
Such quality control equipment will help students test material behavior under pressure and bursting.
3. Environmental Test Chambers for Material Durability Testing
Materials do not behave under laboratory conditions in real life. Environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, thermal cycling, etc. can affect the behavior of the material.
Environmental test chambers make it possible for universities to reproduce controlled environments for research purposes. TESTRON provides environmental test chambers that include tests like temperature/humidity tests, thermal shock, weathering, HAST, etc.
Environmental test chambers are extremely useful in areas such as the following:
- Automotive engineering
- Aerospace research
- Electronics
- Polymer and materials research
- Product durability testing
4. Salt Spray Corrosion Testing Chamber
Corrosion testing is one of the essential laboratory tests for materials, coatings, and metals.
A salt spray corrosion testing chamber is used to test the corrosive resistance of painted, coated, and electroplated surfaces in a controlled salt spray environment. The basic series of salt spray chambers by TESTRON is available in various capacities, based on international standards such as ASTM, ISO, IEC, etc.
Corrosion testing can be used by students for learning purposes.
5. Melt Flow Indexer for Polymer Study
Other universities carrying out research in polymer science or plastics engineering should also think about purchasing a melt flow indexer, which will help them study the melting flow properties of polymers and how their processing behavior relates to their properties.
This is because it is an important tool in material testing laboratory equipment.
6. Box Compression Tester for Packaging Applications
In research into packaging and packaging materials, practical evaluation of compression and structural strength is needed.
The box compression tester may help students examine the resistance to compression and deformation properties of corrugated boxes and packages. Testron offers compression testing devices that cater specifically to the fields of packaging, research, and quality control.
This type of equipment can provide real-world application of classroom knowledge such as force, deformation, structural stability, and packaging design.
7. Materials Hardness Testing Machine
Another piece of equipment that can be considered a useful addition to an engineering laboratory is the material hardness testing machine. Such a hardness testing machine can help students understand how various materials withstand indentation and how processing and treating can affect material characteristics. Different machines can be purchased by a university.
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Selection of Appropriate Material Test Equipment
Before making the purchase decision, universities must consider the following:
Test requirements: This involves establishing which materials, tests, standards, and engineering disciplines will use the equipment.
Capacity and scalability: These are equipment that can handle present testing requirements as well as future demands.
Accuracy and calibration: Accuracy is key and requires equipment that has been correctly calibrated and technical support for this purpose.
Ease of use: Easy-to-use equipment is essential in students’ laboratories.
Cost of material test equipment: The total cost of ownership must be considered and not just the initial cost of purchase.
Material test equipment manufacturer and material test equipment supplier: An experienced material test equipment manufacturer and reputable supplier can make installation and upgrades easier.
Smarter Laboratory at Your University with TESTRON
The TESTRON Group is an expert in delivering laboratory solutions as well as testing services to educational establishments in the fields of mechanical, environmental, pipe, corrosion, polymer, and packaging. TESTRON’s Education Development Program offers specific education discounts, technical assistance and training, spare parts, research laboratories, and extended warranties for qualified educational establishments.
Boost your engineering research with help from TESTRON experts.
Conclusion
In an advanced university lab, there is a need to do more than just prove the theoretical concepts; there is a need to ensure that learners are prepared to tackle engineering issues. The ideal combination of material test equipment, environmental control systems, pressure testing instruments, corrosion instruments, hardness testing instruments, and packaging testing devices will make the lab environment more flexible.
Universities need to consider aspects such as performance, compliance, calibration, training, post-sale services, and total cost of ownership in addition to the price when selecting material test equipment. An ideal material test equipment supplier will help institutions set up scalable labs for the current learners and future researchers.
