Universal Testing Machine – the T150 UTM from KLA Instruments™

The T150 UTM tensile tester machine determines the time-dependent response of strain rate-sensitive materials. The universal testing machine uses an electromagnetic transducer head to generate tensile force (load on the sample) and a precision capacitive gauge to provide great sensitivity over a wide range of strain.

The UTM tensile tester also allows users to examine the tension/compression characteristics of biological materials using a dynamic characterization mode that allows for precise measurements at each point during testing.

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Product Details

Product Description

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The T150 UTM universal tensile tester features an electromagnetic transducer that acts as a load cell, providing exceptional sensitivity across a wide range of strains. The Continuous Dynamic Analysis (CDA) option allows for direct, precise measurement of the specimen’s stiffness at each point in the experiment, making it easier to determine the mechanical properties while the specimen is strained.

CDA allows for the determination of storage and loss modulus, as well as the measurement of complex moduli throughout a wide frequency range. The T150 UTM universal tensile testing machine has a variety of applications, including yield of compliant fibers and biomaterials, dynamic studies of fibers and biomaterials, and polymer tensile and compression studies.

Features

Electromagnetic transducer with great sensitivity over a wide range of strain

Dynamic characterization mode to monitor the evolution of mechanical characteristics with strain

Flexible, upgradeable, and adaptable system for a wide range of applications

Simple test protocol development for real-time experimental control

Compliant with ASTM standards

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Applications

Biomaterials (e.g., spider silk, soft tissue scaffold)

Textiles

MEMS: Micro-electro-mechanical systems

Thin individual polymers, metals, composite or ceramic fibers

Electrospun polymer nanofibers

Polymer films

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Industries

Universities, research labs and institutes

MEMS: Micro-electro-mechanical systems

Fibers and textiles

Polymer thin films

Biomedical

Medical devices

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Applications

Thin Individual Polymers, Metal or Ceramic Fibers

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Tensile strength and elastic modulus are crucial parameters for the functionality of fibers in various applications. However, measuring the mechanical properties of individual micro-fibers poses a significant challenge due to the minuscule forces required to deform these materials.

The T150 UTM tensile tester addresses this challenge effectively. Equipped with a high-resolution force transducer and advanced extension capabilities, this instrument can measure subtle changes in force across a broad range of deformation strains. Consequently, the T150 UTM tensile tester excels in accurately assessing the quasi-static stress-strain behavior of micro- and nano-fibers.

Electrospun Nanofibers

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Electrospinning produces fibers with diameters ranging from a few hundred nanometers to several microns. The T150 UTM tensile tester has been specifically designed to address the need for accurate measurements of very low loads and displacements, essential for characterizing the tensile properties of these thin fibers.

Polymer Thin Films/MEMS

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Aside from its common usage as a basic packaging material, thin polymer films are increasingly being employed in biological sciences and semiconductor packaging. The T150 UTM tensile tester can assess the critical fracture energy of polymer thin films.

Spider Silk

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Nanoscale characterization of biological materials remains a significant challenge in mechanics and material testing. A notable area of this research is the characterization of the mechanical properties of spider silks, which boast an impressive strength-to-weight ratio. This has garnered interest from diverse fields, including medical and military communities.

Challenges in spider silk research include the fibers' small and difficult-to-measure diameters, the complexities involved in harvesting and gripping the samples, and the need for meaningful quasi-static measurements over large strain ranges, as well as assessments of various dynamic characteristics. The T150 UTM is specifically designed to address these issues and is capable of measuring the strength of small-diameter single fibers, such as spider silk.

Textiles

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The T150 UTM is specially engineered to assess the tensile deformation behavior of extremely thin fibers. Equipped with a high-resolution load displacement transducer, the machine features a patented continuous dynamic analysis (CDA) module. This module allows the T150 UTM to continuously measure the storage and loss modulus of materials during a tensile experiment.

The CDA module of this universal testing machine is particularly crucial for characterizing changes in the inherent structure of materials as they deform, which is especially vital for polymeric materials.

Options

Options for the T150 UTM Universal Tensile Tester Machine can be added with the new product or in the future.

XP Head

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The T150 UTM system boasts high lateral stiffness due to its innovative two-spring design, which supports the indenter transducer, limiting it to a single degree of freedom along the axis of indentation. This design constraint enhances the system's ability to conform closely to its dynamic model, ensuring precise behavior under testing conditions.

The system applies forces in the micro-Newton range, while the strain measurements can detect nanoscale extensions in the sample material. The nanomechanical actuating transducer head doubles as a load cell, meticulously controlling the current to the actuator coil to keep the specimen lower grip centered.

By decoupling load application from displacement sensing, the system minimizes measurement error, ensuring that the material response and loading mechanisms are accurately and independently recorded.

Continuous Dynamic Analysis (CDA)

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The Continuous Dynamic Analysis (CDA) option provides a direct, precise measurement of the specimen’s stiffness at each point in the experiment, allowing mechanical characteristics to be continuously calculated while the specimen is strained. CDA determines storage and loss modulus by evaluating the amplitude and phase relationships between load and displacement oscillations.

Dynamic View

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Visualizing material deformation and connecting it to mechanical properties can be difficult with micro- and nanoscale tensile characterization. The T150 dynamic view option allows an external camera to examine the deformation of individual fibers during tensile testing.

Nanoindentation Converter Kit

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The T150 UTM has a micropositioner stage, which holds the sample orthogonal to the direction of the applied tension and facilitates the alignment of the upper sample grip. In addition, an indentation kit with an inversion footer is provided, which allows the system to function as an indenter.

NanoSuite^® Software Versions

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All T150 UTM systems run the standard NanoSuite^® Professional software. The NanoSuite Professional version provides customers with pre-written test procedures, including those that meet ASTM requirements.

The NanoSuite Explorer version allows researchers to create their own NanoSuite procedures using a simple protocol. Simulation Mode (available in both Professional and Explorer editions) enables users to develop test methods and process and analyze data offline.

Isolation Cabinet and Vibration Table

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Isolates the system from vibrations that could impact delicate applications’ results. The isolation cabinet is required for samples with diameters < 10 µm, long-term experiments, or when using the CDA option.