More than 20 ZwickRoell Optical Strain Measurement Systems in Use at the voestalpine Testing Laboratory in Linz, Austria
Steel products from worldwide leading steel and technology group voestalpine are available in a wide range of strengths, different alloy combinations, and featuring a variety of properties, making them ideal for many types of applications. In the energy sector for example, this includes offshore structures, pipelines, pressure vessels and equipment, as well as steel and bridge construction, and manufacturing of vehicles, cranes, and ships.
The mechanical and physical testing laboratory located in Linz, Austria, is operated by 187 employees who through precise testing for the characterization of material properties, ensure continuous product development and quality enhancement at the production facilities. Their work involves the use of numerous testing machines, some of which include unique optical measuring systems from ZwickRoell.
Flexible interface for efficient and customized test sequences
For efficient, yet customized configuration of test sequences, the laboratory management system in use at voestalpine was connected to the testXpert testing software via a customized interface. This allows for quick changes in test programs, parameters, and calculations, and facilitates easy and independent adjustment of the presentation layout of test results and diagrams.
More than 20 optical strain measurement systems from ZwickRoell
voestalpine uses optical strain measuring systems from ZwickRoell with a large number of its testing machines, which through their accuracy and versatility combine a variety of benefits. With a total of more than 20 non-contact extensometers, not only does the company measure changes in width and extension, they also determine r value, n value and Z value and carry out standard-compliant determinations of the break point.
Strain rate controlled tests
One very special strain measuring system is the laserXtens 7-220 HP, which is ideal for strain rate controlled tensile tests to ISO 6892-1 Method A. The opposite measurement of the longitudinal strain on flat specimens is performed in accuracy class 0.5 according to ISO 9513. By using the blue contrast light, as suggested by the customer, the surface structure of the specimen becomes visible enough to be used for virtual gauge marks. In addition, voestalpine can use the laserXtens 7-220 HP for standard-compliant determination of the r value and n values, the elongation at break and the break point. The automatically positioned gauge length ensures that 100% of the specimens break within the defined gauge length.
Determination of strain at break and percentage reduction of area
To determine strain at break and percentage reduction of area according to ISO 6892-1, four optical extensometers were mounted on the rear side of a customized AllroundLine testing machine. The laserXtens 4-128 HP is used for automated determination of the axial strain, e.g., strain at break A. By using a mirror, the visual axes (lines of sight) of the three videoXtens 1-150 transverse strain extensometers were each arranged at an angle of 120° to each other to precisely determine the percentage reduction of area during the test.
Automated small plate bending test
To record the support span and bending angle (including local inner and outer radius) and to detect cracks, a non-contact measuring system from ZwickRoell is used on one of the testing systems for automated small plate bending tests. The Video Capturing function is particularly useful for automated small plate bending tests, because the video recording is synchronized with the measuring graph for detailed subsequent review.