The most commonly performed tests on ceramic materials is a test of flexural strength and performance. Flexural bend test equipment and fixtures are specially engineered for testing ceramics. Flexural bend tests help determine the tensile properties of ceramics, without encountering the difficulties of a uniaxial tension test. Flexural Bend Test Fixtures and Equipment for Ceramics include ceramic flexural test machines, equipment and fixtures under the categories of equibiaxial flexure and 3 and 4 point flexural bend. Ring-on-ring equibiaxial flexure bend test equipment and machines help eliminate edge effects, since stresses are greatest at the specimen center and lowest at the specimen edge. Equibiaxial tests ensure that the properties of the ceramic material determine failure instead of the specimen edge preparation. Along with exquibiaxial flexure and traditional 3 and 4 point bend tests, ceramics are tested with a variety of test specimen geometries, dependent on the type of ceramic and intended use of the material; in a wide range of temperatures, simulating the application environment; with cyclic load profiles to observe crack growth properties; and with different surface preparations to determine their effect on material performance. Modern engineering ceramic materials are high modulus materials with great wear and corrosion resistance, making them ideal materials for bearing surface, heat resistance, and insulation applications. Ceramic materials are also commonly used as a matrix material for fiber reinforced composite materials, increasing the tensile strength of the composite beyond that of the ceramic itself.
Ceramic test methods have been developed by national and international standards organizations to ensure consistent and repeatable testing across the industries employing ceramic materials. Popular standard test methods are ASTM C1161 for flexural strength at ambient temperature by 3 and 4 point loading, ASTM C1211 for flexural strength at elevated temperatures by 3 and 4 point loading, ASTM C1341 for flexural properties of continuous fiber reinforced ceramics by 3 and 4 point loading, ASTM C1421 for fracture toughness at ambient temperature by 3 and 4 point loading, ASTM C1465 for slow crack growth at elevated temperatures by 4 point loading, ASTM C1495 for surface grinding effects, ASTM C1499 for equibiaxial flexural strength by ring-on-ring loading, ASTM C1576 for slow crack growth at ambient temperatures by 4 point loading, ASTM 1684 for cylindrical rods at ambient temperature, and ASTM F394 for biaxial strength by center loading. Depending on the specific ceramic material being tested, Flexural Bend Test Fixtures and Equipment for Ceramics meet test requirements including low or high force capacity with static or dynamic capabilities. Flexural Bend Test Fixtures and Equipment for Ceramics shown below cover a range of possibilities that can satisfy ceramic flexural testing needs. Since a large number of ceramic flexural tests are conducted to ASTM standards, TestResources carries a line of Flexural Bend Test Fixtures and Equipment for Ceramics designed specifically to meet ASTM specifications. Contact a TestResources application engineer to help design a complete ceramics test system idealized for your testing needs.
Applicable Testing Standards
- ASTM C1161 Flexural Bend Ceramics Test Equipment
- ASTM C1211 Flexural Testing for Ceramics
- ASTM C1341 Flexural Testing for Fiber-Reinforced Ceramic Composites
- ASTM C1421 Fracture Toughness Ceramics Test Machine
- ASTM C1465 Slow Crack Growth of Ceramics by Constant Stress-Rate Flexure at Elevated Temperature
- ASTM C1499 Equibiaxial Flexural Ceramics Test Equipment
- ASTM C1576 Slow Crack Growth of Ceramics using constant stress Flexural Testing
- ASTM C1684 Flexural Ceramics Cylindrical Rod Test Machine
- ASTM F394 Biaxial Flexure Strength (Modulus of Rupture) of Ceramic Substrates
Recommended Test Machine
Forces up to 10 kN (2,250 lbf)
Low force tabletop systems
Modular series of five frame options with adjustable test space
Affordable testing option for tension, compression, bend, peel and much more
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
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
Recommended Testing Accessories
Designed in accordance to ASTM F394
Allows for biaxial flexure testing of flat disks
Specimen supported by three ball bearings on a 25.4 mm (1 in) diameter circle
Rated to 300 kN (67,500 lbf)
Designed in accordance to ASTM C1684
Roller diameters made to order
Designed in accordance to ASTM C1499
Dimensions made to order
Rings rated to hardness of at least 40 HRC
Rated to 10 kN (2,250 lbf)
Designed in accordance to ASTM C1421
Built-in ruler allows for easy alignment
Load rating of 2.5 kN (550 lbf)
Designed in accordance to ASTM C1161
Articulating rollers
Interchangeable roller diameters from 1 mm to 12.7 mm (0.04 in to 0.5 in)
Load ratings up to 10 kN (2,250 lbf)
Interchangeable roller diameters from 1 mm to 12.7 mm (0.04 in to 0.5 in)
Easily adjustable span
Base lengths of 150 mm (6 in) and 300 mm (12 in)
