Aircraft structures must go through many levels of testing before receiving airworthiness certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Department of Defense (DoD). Aerospace and aeronautical engineers benefit from standard tensile, compression, shear, and fatigue coupon tests, using the material properties quantified in these tests to determine component material composition, dimensions, and joining methods. Designs must then be verified by testing individual components, systems, and entire airframe structures. Component and airframe tests allow for interactions between parts of an aircraft, providing the most realistic test scenario possible without actually flying the aircraft. Like coupon tests, full scale airframe tests are conducted in static and fatigue loadings and can be conducted on undamaged or damaged airframes.
These tests help determine the maximum payload of the aircraft, cargo or passenger distribution requirements, and expected aircraft lifespan based on number of operational loading cycles (take-off and landing; pressurization-depressurization). Many standard test methods have been created for testing coupon specimens of metals, ceramics, composites, and plastics. These test methods are published and updated by standards organizations such as ASTM, ISO, CEN, NASM, and DIN. Test methods for full scale aircraft testing have not been developed by standards organizations, but are developed by aircraft manufacturers and customized to each individual airframe. In the United States, the FAA has specified Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) which must be met for certification of airworthiness. The FAA does not specify test methods, but must verify the test plan submitted by the manufacture for meeting FARs. The test machines below are common for conducting mechanical tests of engineering materials and larger systems may be suitable for small component tests. TestResources has experience designing and manufacturing fully custom test systems for conducting large scale component and full scale tests. Contact a TestResources application engineer today to discuss your aircraft testing needs and develop the best mechanical test system for your application.
Applicable Testing Standards
- ISO 6892-1 & 2 Metal Tensile Testing
- ISO 527 - Tensile Test of Plastics Composites
- ASTM C1273 Tensile Ceramic Test Equipment
- ASTM C1424 Compression Ceramics Test Machine
- ASTM D638 Tension Testing for Plastics
- ASTM D695 Compression Testing for Rigid Plastics
- ASTM D4762 Polymer Matrix Fiber Reinforced Composites Test Equipment
- ASTM E9 Compression Testing of Metallic Materials at Room Temperature
- ASTM E8 Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
Recommended Test Machine
Force range of 5 kN to 600 kN (1,125 lbf to 135,000 lbf)
Adjustable test space
The most popular choice for static tension and compression tests
These dual column testers are available in both tabletop and floor standing models
Load ratings from 2.6 kN to 55 kN (580 lbf to 12,400 lbf)
Frequency ratings up to 15 Hz
Allows for testing a specimen in both x- and y-directions simultaneously
All-electric design ensures clean operation
Static and fatigue forces up to 50 kN (11,250 lbf)
Frequency ratings up to 75 Hz
Oil-free, all electric actuator for clean test conditions
Lower purchase, operating, and maintenance costs than hydraulic equivalents
Force ratings up to 50 kN (11,250 lbf) and torque ratings up to 180 Nm (1,600 lbf∙in) Can apply axial and torsional loads simultaneously Performs both static and dynamic tests All electric and oil-free operation
>Load ratings from 100 kN to 5 MN (22,500 lbf to 1,125,000 lbf)
Servohydraulic
Can perform both static and dynamic tests
Force ratings up to 500 kN (112,500 lbf) and torque ratings up to 2,000 Nm (18,000 lbf∙in)
Can apply axial and torsional loads simultaneously
Performs both static and dynamic tests
Servohydraulic
Load ratings of 50 kN (11,250 lbf) and up
Frequency ratings up to 50 Hz
Allows for testing a specimen in both x- and y-directions simultaneously
Can perform tensile, compression, static, and dynamic tests