The Mechanical Testing of

Polymers
and their Composites
By
Gordon Williams
 Introduction
• Standard methods are vital in ensuring
reliable data
• True in all fields – Thus ASTM & ISO
• If a property is to be claimed it must be
backed by 1) a method and 2) statistical
analysis ( means ,SD)
• For materials science ;materials
development must be supported by proper
results.
 Introduction
• e.g. Toughened polymers (PA,PE),
• Filled polymers; glass filled ;particle filled
• Nano Composites
• Recent confusion in “Nano” field is often a
result of poor data.
 Test Types
• A range from direct product testing to
basic properties ,e.g. Drop tests to
Young’s Modulus.
• Intermediate type, Testing special plaques
or bowls.
• Basic Tests measure material properties
independent of size and method.
 Test Types

• Two Main Types

• Deformation behaviour; to find Young’s
Modulus ,Yield stress ,Poisson’s Ratio
,Elongation*,Strength*.
• Fracture Behaviour; to find
Toughness,K1c,Izod*, Charpy*.
• All use Tension, Compression or Bending
Tests.
• * See later; not usually a good idea.
 Testing Machines
• A long history e.g. 1880
• Originally to test steel, e.g. Harbour Bridge
• Machines in Civil Eng. Dept. from 1908
• All work in a similar way
• Load applied via a screw ( Instron) or
hydraulic rams (Servo Hydraulic)
• Load measured by load cells (must
calibrate)
Test machine  Instron 4302
Test machine  Instron 1195
Test machine  MTS 810
 Testing Machines
• Deformations; Cross head ,Gauge length?
Extensometers, videos.
• Modern machines are speed controlled,
i.e. constant or exponential.
• Polymers are rate dependent, i.e. are
visco-elastic.
 Deformation Properties
• Measured in; Tension ,compression or
bending.
• Tension; simplest but; end effects (dog
bones) ,gripping (slipping) ,accurate
strains difficult.
• Compression; no gripping problems
• However ,friction .
• Necessary for some yield stress tests.
 Definition of Deformation
Stress, 

y F

E
0 2% y F
Strain, 
 Illustrations of Deformation
Tension:

b
W

l 

= /l =F/bW E= /=(F/)(l/bW)

 Illustrations of Deformation

Compression:
 Illustrations of Deformation

Bending:

F

b

E= /=(F/)(l/bW)(l 2/4W2)
 Deformation Properties
• Bending
• Good for Modulus (magnification)
• However; variable strain , inhomogeniety
(flexural modulus)
• Interpretation of curves.
• Young’s Modulus; elastic property
,polymers are visco-elastic ,rate
dependent ,unloading and hysterysis
.Usually non- linear.
 Deformation Behaviour
• Yield Stress; onset of permanent
deformation, hard to define. 2% offset
,maximum stress.
• “Correct” or “definable” ?
• Fracture stress/strain ,strength .Variable
(surface finish) .A property?
• Fracture Mechanics!! See next week.