Multiaxial Fatigue Testing Machine for Polymers
SourcePlastics are now increasingly used as engineering materials; consequently, there is a need to establish the propensity of the material to fail under fatigue loading. However, in general terms, conventional methods for establishing the fatigue life of a plastic component cannot be used, and alternative ways have to be found. Multiaxial and “in service” load simulation is suggested as a method of tackling this problem. The possibilities of this alternative technique are outlined, and, because of the peculiar and stringent demands on the design of the loading apparatus, this is discussed in detail. The evolution of this apparatus has led to the development of techniques that have solved many of the difficulties found in the application of a multiaxial load and, in addition, offer marked improvements in the field of testing plastics in general.