Product Summary
The Comprehensive Materials Testing System includes everything needed to investigate compression and tensile testing, column buckling, three and four-point bending, shear testing, and stress lines with photoelasticity. In addition to everything the Materials Testing Machine provides, the Comprehensive System includes a sturdy, plastic base with convenient storage for all components and accessories.
The Materials Testing Machine measures force with a 7100 N load cell and displacement with an optical encoder. It includes a PASCO Airlink for connecting to a computer through a USB port or Bluetooth, as well as tensile sample sets for testing tension, compression, bending, and photoelasticity.
Features
- Utilizes PASCO Capstone software
- Tabletop design saves lab space
- Easy to set up and calibrate
- Minimal maintenance
- Tensile samples produce fracture surfaces students can study
- Inexpensive replacement coupons and samples
- Sync real-time video to data and replay in slow motion
- Manual hand crank to help students feel material strengths
- Utilizes PASCO Capstone software
- Two through-holes to secure base to table with bolts
Perform These Experiments
- Modulus of Elasticity
- Ultimate Tensile Stress
- Determine Ductility of Sample
- Determine True Stress/ True Strain Diagram (with use of video analysis)
- Compression Test Polymer Samples
- Perform 3 and 4 Point Bending Tests for a Variety of Materials
- Shear of Structural Alloy Material Rods
Demonstrate
- Strain Crystalization of Polymers
- Stress Lines within Photoelastic Beams
- Column Buckling
How It Works
The Materials Testing Machine has a built-in load cell (strain gauge transducer) capable of measuring up to 7100 newtons (N) of force (1600 pounds), and an optical encoder module that measures displacement of the load bar. A crank-and-gear system raises or lowers the load bar on two leadscrews (also known as power screws or translation screws). Force data from the load cell and displacement data from the encoder module can be recorded, displayed, and analyzed by a PASCO Interface with PASCO Data Acquisition Software.
The sensor cable from the Materials Testing Assembly connects to a PASPORT input port and the Comprehensive Materials Testing System includes an AirLink to connect to a USB port on a computer.
The Materials Testing Machine includes a calibration rod and nut, a load bar round nut, and a pair of safety shields with Velcro® hook material.
What's Included
Product Specifications
| Load Cell Capacity | 7100 N (1600 lbs) |
| Lead Screw Length | 38 cm |
| Sturdy Base | Cast Aluminum Base with Polyethylene Mounting Board |
| Dimensions | 40 x 40 x 52 cm |
| Machine Weight | 20 lbs (9 kg) |
| Safety Shields | Polycarbonate 14 x 30 cm |
| Force Resolution | 1 N |
| Position Resolution | 0.001 mm |
Software Required
This product requires PASCO software for data collection and analysis. We recommend the following option(s). For more information on which is right for your classroom, see our Software Comparison: SPARKvue vs. Capstone »
Lab Activities & Experiments
Experiment Library
Perform the following experiments and more with the Comprehensive Materials Testing System.
Visit PASCO's Experiment Library to view all activities for this product.
College / Engineering
The Euler Column Equation predicts the maximum compressional force applied to a column before it buckles. This value depends on the length of the column, its Area Moment of Inertia, and Young's Modulus for the material. In this...
College / Engineering
Measure the stiffness of the materials using several different methods, in addition to determining the tensile strength. Plastics tested are ABS, Nylon, Polypropylene (PP) and High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS).
College / Engineering
The Euler Column Equation predicts the maximum compressional force applied to a column before it buckles. This value depends on the length of the column, its Area Moment of Inertia, and Young's Modulus for the material.
