Mechanical Analysis Equipment

Equipment availability and reservation information can be found on the MSE iLab equipment page.

Equipment Items

Instron 5944 Tensile Tester  

The Instron 5944 is a displacement controlled load frame that can perform tension or compression tests. 

Available load cells: 1 kN, 50 N, 10 N 

Load measurement accuracy: +/- 0.5% of reading down to 1/1000 of load cell capacity option (2580 Series load cells) 

Up to 2.5 kHz data acquisition rate option simultaneous on load, extension, and strain channels 

Speed range of 0.001 – 3000 mm/min (0.00004 -120 in/min), depending on the model 

Automatic gain adjustment (allows closed loop strain control) 

Automatic transducer recognition for load cells and extensometers 

Pneumatic grips, smooth and textured grips and light platens. 

Instron 3367 Tensile Tester  

The Instron 3367 is a displacement-controlled load frame that can perform tension or compression tests. 

• Maximum load force of 30 kN (6,750 lbf)
• Maximum test speed of 500 mm/min (20 in/min)
• 1193 mm (47 in) vertical test space
• Load cell is accurate to within +/- 0.5%, down to 1% of full load
• Fixtures available include compression platens, threaded grips, and clamp grips.
• Bluehill 3 software is used to set the test parameters, control the load frame, and collect and analyze data.  

Instron 3369 Tensile Tester  

The Instron 3369 is a displacement-controlled load frame that can perform tension or compression tests. 

• Maximum load force of 50 kN (11,250 lbf)
• Maximum test speed of 500 mm/min (20 in/min)
• 1193 mm (47 in) vertical test space
• 50 kN and 1.5 kN load cells are available, and both load cells are accurate to within +/- 0.5%, down to 1% of full load.
• Fixtures available include compression platens, threaded grips, and clamp grips.
• Bluehill 3 software is used to set the test parameters, control the load frame, and collect and analyze data. 

The environmental chamber on the 3369 has a temperature range of -100°C to +350° C. Use of the chamber may limit range of movement and is reservations using the chamber must contact MSE Lab staff to insure proper supply of LN2 is on hand.  

LECO LM 247 AT Knoop and Vickers Microhardness Indenter  

The LECO LM 247AT is a micro-indentation hardness tester with: 

• Knoop & Vickers indenters
• 10x and 50x objectives
• Loads ranging from 10g up to 1kg 

LECO LR Rockwell Macrohardness Indenter and Buehler Rockwell Macrohardness Indenter 

Rockwell Type Hardness Tester: 

The LECO LR-series with its auto-measuring mode can automatically apply a major load and give a digital read-out. 

Ready conversion to different hardness scales makes hardness measurements easy. 

Digital Rockwell Hardness Tester: 

The BUEHLER Macromet 3100 is primarily a Rockwell Hardness tester with an automatic start and loading control system. 

Test loads of 60, 100 and 150 kgf. 

Metals and Polymers Charpy Impact Testers  

The MSE has two Tinius-Olsen Impact Testers: 

The large, floor-mounted 300 ft-lb Charpy tester (pictured above) is used to test the impact toughness of various metals and composites. 

The smaller, table-mounted impact tester (pictured below) is used with polymer samples (IZOD):

The tester uses a specimen with a specific geometry that is rectangular with a notch cut on one side. The notch allows for a predetermined crack initiation location.