Split-Hopkinson pressure bar

Overview
High strain rate tests analyze material behaviour under rapid, high-intensity loading. STEP Lab systems reproduce impacts for automotive, aerospace and materials research, enabling tensile and compression tests at speeds up to 30 m/s and static/dynamic loads up to 150 kN. Systems can be equipped with a climatic chamber for temperature-conditioned testing and configured for multi-actuator operation.

Features

• Max. Load: 150 kN
• Max. Speed: 30 m/s
• Designed for HCF testing (High Cycles Fatigue)
• Integration with third-party high-speed DIC cameras
• Highly reliable tests
• Multi-actuator or single mode operation
• Dynamic loads up to 200 kN (system-dependent)
• Wide variety of accessories available
• Zero maintenance
• Easy installation (Plug&Play)
• Low energy consumption

Type of test

• High speed
• Compression
• Tensile
• Impact

Applications

• Plastics
• Metals
• Composites

Applications and research areas

• Characterisation of metals, composites and polymers from quasi-static conditions up to strain rates of 1000/s
• Cumulative damage analysis of aerospace components under high strain rate impacts
• Simulation of impacts such as car accidents
• Tensile impact tests on parachute cables and seat belts
• Component weight reduction studies

Actuators and system families
High-speed deformation testing machines use highly dynamic electric actuators (linear motors). Systems are available in families suited to different use cases: UD series for fatigue, HUD for endurance and high continuous dynamic forces, and XUD for short-duration tests with very high accelerations.

Standards

• ASTM D3763
• ASTM D638-5
• ISO 8256-2
• ISO 6603-2
• ISO 26203-2
• ISO 18872
• ISO 11343
• SAE International J2749

Notes
Systems support closed-loop force and displacement control via Test Center controller, high-resolution 24-bit data acquisition, and can be configured with up to 8 controlled and synchronised axes. They can be installed on different structures and support flexible geometric configurations.

Caractéristiques / spécifications techniques

• Max. test speed: up to 30 m/s
• Typical maximum static/dynamic load: 150 kN (system-dependent); dynamic loads up to 200 kN indicated in feature set
• Strain rate capability: characterisation up to 1000/s
• UD series: fatigue tests up to 2 m/s and 10G
• HUD series: dynamic tests up to 6 m/s and 45G
• XUD series: dynamic tests up to 6 m/s and 90G
• Actuation: high-dynamic linear motors
• Control: closed-loop force and displacement control via Test Center controller
• Data acquisition: high-resolution 24-bit
• Axes: up to 8 controlled & synchronised axes
• Accessories: climatic chamber installable for temperature testing; integration with high-speed DIC cameras
• Installation: Plug & Play
• Maintenance: zero maintenance claimed
• Energy: low energy consumption