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flexure testing iconFlexure/Bend Testing

Flexure/bend testing is also known as transverse testing or modulus of rupture testing. It is a way of determining the flexural strength, or how something will react, when it is being bent. This is done by supporting the specimen at given points along its length and applying an axial compressive load evenly at one or more points.

Many products are designed to flex and bend, and return to their original state so, for example, sports equipment and tools need to be tested under repeated flexure to ensure required performance.

This type of test is performed to assess the strength of components and materials e.g. PVC/ABS pipes; ceramic or polymer rods and bars; stiff metal wire; rods; tubing; structural panels and beams of wood, metal, composites or concrete. Other applications where testing bending strength is just as critical include 3-point bend testing of hypodermic needles and vascular stents.

Stiffness is a required flexure measure in paper, board or films, and there are industry standards and methods, and special fixtures for these kinds of test under what can be extremely light forces.

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Flexure/bend test standards

There are many standards for flexure/bend testing, developed by organisations such as ASTM, BS, DIN, ISO and MIL. They include:

  • ASTM C67 - 08 Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile
  • ASTM C674 - 88(2006) Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Ceramic Whiteware Materials
  • ASTM D-790 Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Ceramic Whiteware Materials
  • ASTM E855 - 08 Standard Test Methods for Bend Testing of Metallic Flat Materials for Spring Applications Involving Static Loading
  • ASTM F2606 - 08 Standard Guide for Three-Point Bending of Balloon Expandable Vascular Stents and Stent Systems
  • BS EN 2746:1998 Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics. Flexural Test. Three Point Bend Method
  • BS EN ISO 7438:2005 Metallic Materials. Bend Test
  • BS EN ISO 8491:2004 Metallic Materials. Tube (in Full Section). Bend Test
  • ISO 9358:1996 Aerospace - Hydraulic Tubing Joints and Fittings - Planar Flexure Test
  • ISO 18756:2003 Fine Ceramics (Advanced Ceramics, Advanced Technical Ceramics) - Determination of fracture toughness of Monolithic Ceramics at Room Temperature by the Surface Crack in Flexure (SCF) Method

More flexure / bend standards

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