EoW March 2008

english technology news

Institute buys testing system from l Zwick Roell

The Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe is one of the biggest science and engineering research institutions in Europe and funded jointly by the Federal Republic of Germany and the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. is of characterisation of irradiated material by instrumented indentation. For this reason they purchased a ZHU0.2/ Z2.5 modular testing system from the Zwick Roell Group to assist them in their quest to investigate the material’s mechanical properties after irradiation and to understand the irradiation damage mechanisms. Zwick was the only manufacturer who could provide a solution for this unique application. The ZHU0.2/Z2.5 has a load range of 2- 200N, and a displacement measuring resolution of 0.02μm. The system is equipped with a fully automated X/Y table and Rockwell and Vickers indenters. investigating the concept The Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe

different holding times. Neural networks then evaluate the correlation between this test data and the parameters of a viscoplastic material model, normally acquired from tensile tests. The unique operation of the indentation tester allows it to carry out precision loading cycles up to various forces and displacements with predetermined holding times during each cycle. TestXpert®, Zwick’s software platform for materials testing, is used to control the machine and obtain the synchronised force and indentation data. This data is then stored in a special format and transmitted to the neural network system to determine the material properties such as Young’s Modulus, Yield and ultimate tensile strength as well as hardening coefficients. Zwick GmbH & Co KG – Germany Fax : +49 7305 10200

Operator using the indentation tester in a hot cell

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The indentation can be viewed through a microscope fitted with a CCD camera. The Zwick ZHU0.2/Z2.5 is installed in a gas tight hot cell with 200mm lead / 500mm lead glass shielding. It carries out multi- stage indentation tests (load/unload) with

Email : info@zwickroell.eu Website : www.zwick.de

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EuroWire – March 2008