The Mechanical Testing Labs at Frontier Scientific Testing & Research, Co. (FST&R) perform destructive testing on a wide range of materials in accordance with all applicable ISO & ASTM Standard Test Methods as well as testing to customer specific specifications.

At FST&R tension and compression tests are conducted on an impressive range of machines with capacities from 50 kg to 500,000 kg. Testing is conducted in various atmospheres (Argon, Vacuum, Corrosive Mediums) at cryogenic, ambient, and elevated temperatures (-196°C to +1350°C). Our proprietary testing software provides us with the capability to run standard tests plus full stress/full strain tests at various strain rates, crosshead speeds, load ranges, and strain ranges as your requirements demand.

FST&R Mechanical Testing Includes:

Tensile Testing

Compression Testing

Charpy Impact Test

IZOD Impact Test

Drop-Weight Testing

Double Shear Test

Bend Testing

Stress Rupture

Creep Rupture

Cyclic Rupture

Hydrogen Embrittlement Test

Static Notch Testing

Dynamic Tear Testing

Impact Testing most commonly consists of Charpy and IZOD Specimen configurations. The Charpy tests are conducted on instrumented machines at temperatures ranging from -196°C to over 900°C. Specimen types include notch configurations such as V-Notch, U-Notch, Key-Hole Notch, as well as Un-notched and ISO (DIN) V-Notch, with capabilities of testing sub-size specimens down to ¼ size.

FST&R offers a line of Instrumented Impact Tests designed to simulate real life rapid energy absorption conditions caused by falling objects, blows, collisions, drops, etc. A part or material's ability to resist impact often is one of the determining factors in the service life of a part, or in the suitability of a designated material for a particular application. Impact resistance can be one of the most difficult properties to quantify. The ability to quantify this property is a great advantage in product liability and safety.

Drop-Weight Testing is preformed to ASTM E208-Standard Test Method for Conducting Drop-Weight Test to Determine Nil-Ductility Transition Temperature of Ferritic Steels. This test is conducted to determine the nil ductility transition temperature (NDT) of materials. Tests can also be conducted to your temperature requirements from elevated temperature down to -196°C.

Dynamic Tear Testing has a wide range of research and development applications. Used to study the effects of metallurgical variables like heat treatment, composition, and processing methods on the dynamic tear fracture resistance of material. Manufacturing processes, such as welding, can be effectively evaluated for their effect on dynamic tear fracture resistance. Additional uses for this test include evaluating the appropriateness of selecting a material for an application where a baseline correlation between Dynamic Tear energy and actual performance has been developed.

Stress and Creep Rupture Tests are conducted at temperatures up to 1300°C to either ASTM E139-Standard Test Methods for Conducting Creep, Creep Rupture and Stress Rupture Tests of Metallic Material or ASTM E292-Standard Test Method for Stress Rupture Combination. Temperature and creep readings are continuously monitored and recorded digitally to ensure utmost accuracy. The creep test program is capable of recording strain readings up to 120 times per hour. This data is utilized to maintain temperature tolerances during the test, and to create a unique temperature history report. The reduced section of a creep test specimen can also be strain-gaged as a means of measuring the amount of strain during testing.

Stress and Creep Rupture Tests can also be conducted in environments under vacuum, corrosive, or inert atmospheres. Maximum temperature for these tests exceeds 920°C and are usually performed on materials that exhibit excessive corrosion at elevated temperatures in an air environment.

Cyclic Rupture Testing is designed to load and unload a test specimen at certain time intervals. The test temperatures range from room to +1200°C. Prior to starting a test, four strain gages are attached to a test specimen to ensure that bending strains are within specified requirements.

The Static Notch Test is performed at room temperature under a constant load for a minimum of five hours to determine if the material is notch sensitive at room temperature.

The Embrittlement Relief Test is also performed at room temperature, but for 200 hours under a load of some percentage of either the yield strength or ultimate tensile strength. Typically, this test is conducted in accordance with ASTM F519-Standard Test Method for Mechanical Hydrogen Embrittlement Evaluation of Plating/Coating Processes & Service Environments at 75% of the yield strength to determine if the material is susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement.

Manufacturing Technologies

On-Site Mechanical Engineering

The on-site Mechanical Engineering laboratory at FST&R is staffed by specialists and engineers in product evaluation of actual prototype components and subassemblies. From custom design and fabrication of fixtures, to conducting the test, our mechanical engineers have the expertise and resources to assist our various testing departments in delivering data to customers in an efficient and timely manner.

Dedicated On-Site Creep and Stress Rupture Machine Shop

The on-site high-technology, full-service Machine Shop at FST&R encompasses a clean, temperature-controlled environment and state-of-the-art equipment, with the ability to machine all test specimens onsite. In addition to machining standard specimens, the Machine Shop can custom-design and machine fixtures for testing finished parts, odd shapes, and difficult or exotic materials.

FST&R’s reputation for quality machining and superior turnaround times brings production work from other laboratories and mills. With advanced in-house capabilities, and substantial engineering experience, FST&R specializes in low-stress grinding and machining sub size specimens to very close tolerances.

Mechanical Testing Standardized Tests

Below is a sample list of Mechanical Standardized Tests that Frontier Scientific Testing & Research can perform. In addition to the following standardized ASTM & ISO tests, FST&R has the capabilities to test to individual customer specifications.

Tensile Testing

ASTM E8 – Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials

ISO 6892-1 –Metallic Materials –Tensile Testing — Part 1: Method of Test at Room Temperature

ASTM B557 – Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing Wrought and Cast Aluminum and Magnesium Alloy Products

ASTM E111 - Standard Test Method for Young’s Modulus, Tangent Modulus and Chord Modulus

ASTM E21 – Standard Test Methods for Elevated Temperature Tension Tests of Metallic Materials

ISO 6892-2 – Metallic Materials –Tensile Testing –Part 2: Method of Test at Elevated Temperature

ISO 6892-3 – Metallic Materials –Tensile Testing –Part 3: Method of Test at Low Temperature

Creep & Stress Rupture Testing

ASTM E139 - Standard Test Methods for Conducting Creep, Creep Rupture and Stress Rupture Tests of Metallic Materials

ASTM E292 – Standard Test Method for Stress Rupture Combination

ISO 204 – Metallic Materials – Uniaxial Creep Testing in Tension –Method of Test

ASTM E328 – Standard Test Methods for Stress Relaxation Tests for Materials and Structures

ASTM 1312-10 – Tension Fatigue Test Procedure for Aeronautical Fasteners

Hydrogen Embrittlement Testing

ASTM F519 – Standard Test Method for Mechanical Hydrogen Embrittlement Evaluation of Plating/Coating Processes & Service Environments

ASTM 1312-5 – Stress durability of externally threated fasteners

Impact Testing

ASTM E23 – Standard Test Methods Notched Bar Impact Testing of Metallic Materials

ISO 148-1 Metallic Materials – Charpy Pendulum Impact Test – Part 1：Test Method

ASTM E208 Standard Test Method for Conducting Drop-Weight Test to Determine Nil-Ductility Transition Temperature of Ferritic Steels

Bend Testing

ASTM E290 – Standard Test Methods for Bend Testing of Material for Ductility

ASTM E190 – Standard test Method for Guided Bend Test for Ductility of Welds

Compression Testing

ASTM E9 – Standard Test Methods of Compression Testing of Metallic Materials at Room temperature

Bearing Testing

ASTM E238 – Standard Test Method for Pin-Type Bearing Test of Metallic Materials

Dynamic Tear Testing

ASTM E604 – Standard Test Method for Dynamic Tear Testing of Metallic Materials

Shear Testing

ASTM F606 – Standard Test Methods for Determining the Mechanical Properties of Externally and Internally Threaded Fasteners, Washers, Direct Tension Indicators and Rivets

ASTM B565 – Standard Test Method for Shear Testing of Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rivets and Cold-Heating Wire and Rods

ASTM B769 – Standard Test Method for Shear testing of Aluminum Alloys

ASTM B831 – Standard Test Method for Shear Testing of Thin Aluminum Alloy Products

ASTM B871 – Standard Test Method for Shear testing of Thin Aluminum Alloy Products