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systems
Wire & Cable ASIA – May/June 2009 58
Upset testing equipment
Wire rod for cold shaping in accordance with EN 10263 and/or DIN 1654
has been tested for many years by standardised compression tests.
From the European point of view the method is adequate when the test
specimen is compressed by the ratio 1:3.
In the past year, Friedrich Petig GmbH has supplied what is believed to
be the largest upset testing machine in the world, to date, to a Korean
customer, Pohang Steel Corporation (POSCO).
POSCO rolls wire for cold shaping (cold heading) in many qualities to
1,200 N/mm² tensile strength. The largest diameter is 55mm. The machine
consists of a double press, which is accommodated in a common
framework. The wire to be examined is cut in a plane parallel manner to
a length of 1.5 x diameter on the right press side with 3,500kN shearing
force in a double shear tool. The test specimen is then upsetted to a third
of the initial length on the left press side with 6,000kN compression force.
In related photo documentation the upset test specimen is photographed
all around from four sides, and displayed on a 19-inch screen. The
cracks that may arise during the rolling process, which have become
visible through the rolling, can thus be easily documented. A PC is
installed for control support. The values in accordance with DIN and ASA,
compression extent pre-selection, speed, and documentation can be
entered here.
Friedrich Petig GmbH – Germany Fax: +49 2181 73108
Email: Website:
The latest developments in Zwick’s ZHU/zwicki-Line provide
a new system for classical and instrumented hardness
testing. This fully automatic universal hardness testing
system covers the Vickers, Knoop, Brinell, Rockwell, ball
indentation and instrumented indentation methods.
The ZHU/zwicki-Line for instrumented indentation testing
in the macro range covers a wide range of applications
and features hardware and electronics precisely tailored
to the requirements of hardness testing, guaranteeing high
reproducibility. In addition to instrumented indentation
tests to determine hardness and other material parameters,
the ZHU/zwicki-Line can
perform all the classical
hardness testing methods
used for metals.
Whichever method is used,
the testing system records
the load-indentation depth
curve to provide additional
material assessment.
The instrumented indenta-
tion test includes elastic
and plastic deformations
in order to obtain the
elastic and plastic material
characteristic values. The
core of the testing system
is a hardness measuring
head, into which the mea-
suring systems for test load
and indentation depth plus
an indentor with hold-down
device are integrated. For optical-based hardness testing
methods to Vickers, Knoop and Brinell an add-on unit with
measuring microscope is available.
This unit is motorised in accordance with the trend for
increasing automation and reduction of operator influence,
while indentation setting, microscope positioning and
optical measurement of the indentation are all performed
completely automatically.
The range of compound (XY) tables has also seen further
improvements in support surface area, test load and travel.
The new motorised tables are designed for test loads up to
250kg and have travel ranges up to 150mm x 50mm.
The range of applications covered by the ZHU/zwicki-Line
has been expanded to include fully automatic Jominy testing
to ISO 642 and ASTM 255. In the end-quenching (Jominy)
test the hardness of steel is determined by performing a
hardness profile test with the Rockwell (HRC) or Vickers
(HV30) method on a prepared specimen.
Available from Zwick are motorised compound tables with
appropriate Jominy tooling for three or five standardised
specimens. Testing is carried out completely automatically
with user-friendly testXpert® II software; the operator only has
to enter the starting points and test sequence directions.
The system is suitable for use in research and development,
production and goods inwards testing.
Zwick GmbH & Co KG – Germany
Fax: +49 7305 10200
Email:
Website:
Petig’s upset testing machine ❍ ❍
Innovations in hardness testing
High end hardness tester for ❍ ❍
use in R & D