The most important terms for component testing

Also known as bending fatigue test, this is a method for evaluating the fatigue strength of materials or components under repeated bending loads. It is used to investigate the behavior of the material or component under cyclic bending stress and to determine the number of stress cycles that the material can withstand before failure occurs.

The breaking point, also known as tensile strength, is the maximum stress that a material can withstand before it breaks or fails. It is an important mechanical property of a material and is usually measured in megapascals (MPa) or newtons per square meter (N/m²).

Component testing is an essential step in the quality assurance of components. It ensures the optimal performance and safety of products in various industries such as the automotive, aerospace, electronics, and many more.

Method for detecting cracks or other defects in components or materials. It is used to check the integrity and quality of components and to ensure that they meet requirements and standards.

Method for evaluating the fatigue strength of materials or components by repeatedly subjecting them to alternating loads. Simulates the real load cycles that can occur during operation.

Destructive testing, also known as destructive analysis or mechanical testing, is a method of evaluating the mechanical properties of a material or component by subjecting it to physical stress that results in failure or deformation. In contrast to non-destructive testing, destructive testing involves taking samples and subjecting them to defined conditions in order to obtain information about the material behavior.

DIN EN ISO 9712 is a standard that deals with the requirements for the qualification and certification of personnel for non-destructive testing. The standard specifies the minimum requirements for the knowledge, skills, and experience of testing personnel who perform non-destructive testing.

DSC is a method for determining the heat capacity and/or enthalpy change of a material as a function of temperature, heating or cooling rate, and time. It provides information on melting point, melting temperature, melting enthalpy, and glass transition behavior.

Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy is an analytical technique used in conjunction with scanning electrin microscopy (SEM). In EDX, X-rays are generated when electrons strike the sample in the SEM. These X-rays have characteristic energies that are specific to the chemical elements in the sample. The EDX system measures the energies of the emitted X-rays and analyzes them to determine the chemical composition of the sample.

Also known as Young's modulus, this is a material constant that describes the stiffness and elongation properties of a material. It indicates how a material deforms under axial tensile or compressive stress.

Structures consisting of a combination of fibers and a matrix. The fibers, which are often made of glass, carbon, aramid, or other reinforcing materials, provide high tensile strength and stiffness. The matrix, which usually consists of a plastic (e.g., epoxy resin), holds the fibers together and transfers the mechanical stress to the fibers.

The glass transition temperature (Tg) describes the transition of an amorphous material, such as glass or a polymer, from a rigid, glassy state to a liquid-like or rubber-like state. This transition is accompanied by changes in a number of material properties during heating: viscosity decreases, while heat capacity and the coefficient of thermal expansion increase. Knowledge of the glass transition temperature is essential for the application of amorphous materials, as it defines the temperature range within which a material remains suitable for use.

Method for determining the hardness of a material, i.e. its resistance to deformation, penetration or abrasion. This test helps to assess the strength and mechanical properties of a material.

Mechanical property of a material that describes its ability to withstand a sudden impact or shock without breaking or failing. It indicates how well a material can absorb energy when subjected to an impact load.

Non-destructive testing method used in various branches of industry. It is based on the same principle as medical computed tomography, which produces cross-sectional images of the inside of the body.

Process that attempts to predict the expected service life of a product, component, or system. It is based on a combination of theoretical models, data analysis, and empirical values.

A method for assessing the properties and quality of materials such as metals, plastics, or composite materials. It ensures that the materials meet the requirements and specifications for their intended use.

A method for evaluating the mechanical properties of a material or component. It is a type of destructive test in which the material is subjected to physical stress in order to obtain information about its behavior under various conditions.

Microstructure refers to the fine structure of a material at the microscopic level. It includes the arrangement, distribution, and properties of the phases, grains, crystals, and defects within the material.

Also known as melt flow index, this is a parameter used to characterize the flow behavior of thermoplastics under certain conditions. It indicates how much melt of a polymer can flow through a nozzle within a certain time and under a certain load.

Is a parameter used to evaluate the flow behavior of thermoplastics. It indicates how much melt of a polymer can flow through a nozzle within a certain time and under a certain load.

Also known as melt volume rate, this is a key figure that describes the flow behavior of thermoplastics. It indicates how much melt of a polymer can flow through a nozzle within a certain time and under a certain load.

Level of structuring between the microstructure (at the microscopic level) and the macrostructure (at the macroscopic level). It refers to the average size of the structuring elements in a material.

A method for inspecting components without damaging or destroying them. It is used to identify defects, faults, or irregularities in components.

Specific form of impact resistance that evaluates the behavior of a material or component when subjected to an impact load on a notch or edge. It indicates how resistant the material is when subjected to a sudden impact load on a sharp edge or notch.

Method for examining materials and components using optical techniques and instruments. It enables visual inspection, measurement, and evaluation of surfaces, structures, defects, and other characteristics.

Method for measuring and characterizing the flow behavior of materials, in particular liquids and viscoelastic materials. It enables the deformation and flow properties of materials to be investigated under various load conditions.

Stands for “Representative Volume Element” and refers to a method for modeling and analyzing materials at the microscopic level. In RVE modeling, a representative volume element is selected that contains the essential characteristics of a material's microstructure.

Composite materials consisting of a core layer or core material and two cover layers, referred to as the cover layer or adhesive layer. The core material is located between the cover layers and serves to improve the structural integrity and properties of the sandwich material.

Advanced imaging technique used to obtain high-resolution images of surface structures of materials. In contrast to transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) uses electron beams directed at the surface of the sample. The electrons interact with the sample and generate signals such as secondary electrons, backscattered electrons, or X-rays. These signals are recorded and combined to form an image of the sample surface. SEM enables high resolution and three-dimensional representation of sample surfaces.

Method for evaluating the strength and stability of components, structures or materials under static load. The material or component is examined without dynamic or changing loads.

Method for determining the deformation of a material or component under load. It is used to quantify the strain or elongation of the material and to obtain important information about its mechanical behavior.

The surface load refers to the evenly distributed load or weight acting on a surface. It is the force or weight per unit area acting on a surface.

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is used to examine mass loss under controlled heating rates. It provides information on the degradation behavior and thermal decomposition of plastics, polymer blends, and composites.

Thermal analysis comprises a group of methods in which a material or component is subjected to defined temperature programs. These methods make it possible to identify thermal transitions and determine properties such as heat capacity, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, and temperature resistance. Thermal analysis is used to evaluate the performance and reliability of materials and components under demanding temperature conditions and to assess their suitability for specific applications.

Powerful technology that provides detailed information about the internal structure of samples. In TEM, electron beams are sent through a thin sample, penetrating the material. A detector on the other side of the sample detects the electrons that have passed through and produces a detailed image of the sample. TEM can achieve sub-nanometer resolution and enables the investigation of nanostructures, crystal lattices, defects, and other material characteristics.

A technique used in electron microscopy to produce extremely thin slices (typically in the range of 50 to 500 nanometers) of samples. An ultramicrotome is used to cut the sample block into very thin sections. These thin slices can then be used for observation under an electron microscope.

Physical property of a fluid that describes its internal friction and resistance to deformation and flow. It indicates how thick or thin a fluid is and how easily or heavily it flows.

Test method for determining the bending strength and other mechanical properties of a material or component. It is a special variant of the bending test, in which the material is loaded between two support points while two other points transfer the load to the material.