High Strain Rate Testing Lab
- High-speed tensile, compression, flexural, and foam/elastomer compressibility programs
- Very high-speed tensile programs
- Method-appropriate specimen geometry, fixtures, and high strain rate measurement
- Comparative testing across multiple strain rates
- Engineering test report (PDF) with digital data delivery
- Method-appropriate outputs such as engineering and true stress–strain curves, yield and ultimate properties, modulus, and rate-sensitivity comparisons
- Raw data exports available on request, where applicable
- Exact deliverables depend on the selected loading mode, strain-rate range, and specimen configuration
Get Started
Tell us about the material, application, environment, and any method, standard, specimen, or conditioning constraints.
We’ll align the appropriate method, specimen requirements, and deliverables to your objectives, then provide a quote and test plan.
Send the purchase order and arrange delivery of materials or specimens so the program can move into scheduling and execution.
You’ll receive an engineering test report with digital data delivery, along with any agreed raw data or method-appropriate outputs.
FAQs
It depends on loading mode, material type, and target strain-rate range. Share what you have and we’ll confirm specimen geometry, quantity, and any conditioning needs before quoting.
Measurement approach depends on loading mode and program. High-speed optical extensometry may be used for tensile work, while other programs may use crosshead displacement or other method-appropriate instrumentation.
We support common ASTM and ISO high-speed methods across tensile, compression, flexural, and foam/elastomer compressibility programs, and can confirm the most appropriate path during the initial consult.
Yes—where required, programs can be structured to compare stress–strain behavior across multiple loading rates so you can assess strain-rate sensitivity for design, CAE, or impact-related objectives.
You receive an engineering test report (PDF) and digital data deliverables. Raw data exports are available on request where applicable, and exact contents vary with the specific program ordered.
Reported outputs depend on method and measurement approach. Common outputs include engineering or true stress–strain curves, modulus, yield properties, ultimate properties, and rate-sensitivity comparisons.
Typical turnaround is five business days. Turnaround can vary for high-speed programs based on material type, specimen readiness, conditioning, measurement setup, and the number of strain rates required—share constraints and we’ll propose a viable plan.
Tell us what you need back—curves, yield properties, true data, raw data, reporting format, and any required standard or strain-rate matrix. We’ll align the program before testing begins.
The sections below provide the technical context, standards, specimen considerations, test procedures, and measurement details for this testing service.
Significance & Purpose
High Strain Rate Testing – also called high-speed strain rate testing – evaluates how materials respond to rapidly applied loads at high strain rates. Materials often exhibit strain rate sensitivity, meaning their mechanical properties, such as yield strength, modulus, and ultimate strength, vary with the rate of loading. This is crucial for applications involving impact, crashworthiness, and high-speed manufacturing processes.
High strain rate testing may include high-speed tensile testing and other mode-specific characterization, depending on material type, specimen geometry, and test objective.
Key purposes include:
- Understanding Strain Rate Sensitivity: Predicting performance in dynamic applications.
- Material Modeling: Generating stress-strain curves for computational simulations.
- Crashworthiness and Impact Analysis: Evaluating how materials behave during rapid deformation.
- Optimizing Manufacturing Processes: Ensuring materials perform consistently under high-speed forming conditions.
Standards
High-Speed Tensile Stress-Strain
- ASTM D638: Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics.
- ASTM E8: Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials.
- ISO 527-1: Plastics — Determination of Tensile Properties.
Very High-Speed Tensile Stress-Strain
- ASTM D412: Standard Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers — Tension.
- ASTM D638: Tensile Properties of Plastics.
- ISO 527-1: Tensile Testing of Plastics.
- ASTM E8: Tension Testing of Metals.
High-Speed Compressive Stress-Strain
- ASTM D695: Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Plastics.
High-Speed 3-Point Flexural Stress-Strain
- ASTM D790: Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials.
- ISO 178: Plastics — Determination of Flexural Properties.
High-Speed Compressibility of Foams & Elastomers
- ASTM D575: Standard Test Methods for Rubber Properties in Compression.
- ISO 604: Plastics — Determination of Compressive Properties.
Tests
Tests in the DatapointLabs test catalog that reference high strain rate testing are as follows:
General High Strain Rate Testing
| Test ID | Test Description | Standards |
|---|---|---|
| M-232 | High Speed Tensile Stress-Strain | ASTM D638, ASTM E8, ISO 527-1 |
| M-235 | Very High Speed Tensile Stress-Strain | ASTM D412, ASTM D638, ISO 527-1, ASTM E8 |
| M-233 | High Speed Compressive Stress-Strain | ASTM D695 |
| M-230 | High Speed 3 Point Flexural Stress-Strain | ASTM D790, ISO 178 |
Elastomers & Foams
| Test ID | Test Description | Standards |
|---|---|---|
| M-231 | High Speed Compressibility of Foams and Elastomers | ASTM D575, ISO 604 |
Principle of Operation
The mechanical properties of materials depend on how quickly a load is applied. High-speed testing involves:
- Applying a Load at Controlled Speeds: A specialized testing machine applies loads at high strain rates (e.g., 1 s−1 to 2000 s−1).
- Measuring Force and Displacement: Sensors record load and deformation throughout the test.
- Calculating Stress and Strain: Engineering and true stress-strain relationships are calculated from force-displacement data.
- Analyzing Rate Dependency: Data from different strain rates are compared to evaluate strain-rate sensitivity.
Typical Procedure
- Sample Preparation:
- Prepare samples according to the geometry specified in the relevant standard.
- Condition materials as required (e.g., temperature, humidity).
- Test Setup:
- Select the appropriate test configuration: tensile, compressive, or flexural.
- Calibrate force, displacement, and strain measurement devices.
- Test Execution:
- Apply loads at specified strain rates.
- Record force and displacement continuously.
- Data Collection & Analysis:
- Analyze stress-strain curves to calculate mechanical properties.
- Compare results across multiple strain rates.
Specimen Types
Specimens used by DatapointLabs in various types of high strain rate testing are as follows:
| Specimen Type | DatapointLabs Test IDs |
|---|---|
| High Speed Tensile Bars [Details] | M-232, M-235 |
| Flex Bars [Details] | M-230 |
| Prisms [Details] | M-233, M-231 |
Extensometry Techniques
Extensometry techniques typically employed by DatapointLabs in various types of high strain rate testing are as follows:
| Extensometry Technique | DatapointLabs Test IDs |
|---|---|
| High-Speed Optical Extensometry (Axial) | M-232, M-235 |
| Crosshead Displacement (Axial) | M-233 |
| Drop Tower Load Cell Accelerometer | M-230, M-231 |
Characterization Measurements
High-Speed Tensile Stress-Strain
- Engineering Tensile Stress-Strain Curves: Stress-strain relationship under high-speed tension.
- Offset Yield Strain in Tension: Strain corresponding to a specific offset (e.g., 0.2%).
- Offset Yield Stress in Tension: Stress at the offset yield strain.
- Tensile Modulus (E): Slope of the initial linear region.
- Tensile Strain at Yield: Strain at peak yield point.
- Tensile Strength at Yield: Maximum stress before yielding.
- True Tensile Stress-Strain Curves: Derived from engineering curves by accounting for changing cross-sectional area.
Very High-Speed Tensile Stress-Strain
- Engineering Tensile Stress-Strain Curves: Captures behavior under very high strain rates (up to 2000 s−1).
- Offset Yield Strain in Tension: Measured during rapid deformation.
- Offset Yield Stress in Tension: Indicates strain rate sensitivity.
- Tensile Modulus (E): Evaluates elastic behavior at high speeds.
- Tensile Strain at Yield: Strain at yield point for comparison with lower-speed tests.
- Tensile Strength at Yield: Critical for crashworthiness applications.
- True Tensile Stress-Strain Curves: Provides stress-strain data accounting for material thinning.
High-Speed Compressive Stress-Strain
- Compressive Modulus: Slope of stress-strain curve during elastic compression.
- Compressive Strain at Yield: Strain at which plastic deformation begins.
- Compressive Strength at Yield: Peak stress before permanent deformation.
- Compressive Ultimate Strength: Maximum stress before catastrophic failure.
- Engineering Compressive Stress-Strain Curves: Graphs stress-strain response.
- Offset Yield Strain in Compression: Strain at specified offset (e.g., 0.2%).
- Offset Yield Stress in Compression: Stress corresponding to offset yield strain.
- Strain at Ultimate: Maximum strain reached before failure.
- True Compressive Stress-Strain Curves: Calculated to account for changing sample dimensions.
High-Speed 3-Point Flexural Stress-Strain
- Flexural Modulus (Ef): Slope of stress-strain curve during elastic flexure.
- Flexural Strength at Peak: Maximum stress measured during bending.
- Flexural Stress-Strain Curves: Graphs flexural behavior over time.
- Offset Yield Strain in Flex: Strain at a defined offset stress (e.g., 0.2%).
- Offset Yield Stress in Flex: Stress corresponding to the offset yield strain.
High-Speed Compressibility of Foams & Elastomers
- Compressive Modulus: Elastic stiffness of foams under high-speed compression.
- Compressive Ultimate Strength: Maximum stress during deformation.
- Engineering Compressive Stress-Strain Curves: Stress-strain data under compression.
- Offset Yield Strain in Compression: Strain at specified offset stress.
- Offset Yield Stress in Compression: Stress corresponding to the yield strain.
- Strain at Ultimate: Maximum strain before failure.
- True Compressive Stress-Strain Curves: Derived from engineering curves to account for cross-sectional changes.
Typical Data Reported
- Stress-Strain Curves (Engineering & True): Captures mechanical response across strain rates.
- Yield Properties (Stress & Strain): Offset yield stress and strain at multiple rates.
- Elastic Modulus (Tensile, Compressive, Flexural): Material stiffness for various deformation modes.
- Ultimate Strength (Tensile, Compressive, Flexural): Maximum load before catastrophic failure.
- Rate Sensitivity Analysis: Compares mechanical properties across different loading rates.
Suitable Material Types
- Plastics: Thermoplastics, thermosets, fiber-reinforced composites.
- Metals: Aluminum, steel, and alloys used in structural applications.
- Foams: Rigid and flexible foams in cushioning and packaging.
- Elastomers: Rubber materials used in seals, tires, and vibration damping.
Suitable Applications
- Automotive: Crashworthiness analysis of body panels, bumpers, and seat components.
- Aerospace: High-speed deformation in fuselage and wing structures.
- Defense: Impact-resistant materials for protective equipment.
- Consumer Products: Evaluating impact performance of helmets, packaging, and electronics.
- Medical Devices: Dynamic behavior of prosthetics and orthopedic components.
- Manufacturing: Optimizing high-speed forming processes in metal stamping and plastic molding.
Conclusion
High strain rate testing is essential for characterizing high- and very high-speed mechanical properties of materials across different deformation modes. By following ASTM D638, ASTM E8, ISO 527-1, ASTM D695, ASTM D790, ASTM D575, and ISO 604, engineers can accurately assess material performance under dynamic loading, aiding in material selection, process optimization, and failure prevention in high-performance applications like automotive, aerospace, and impact-resistant product design.
