SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Engineering Dynamics Site Map

	SwRI High Rate Test Facility

The performance of materials at high strain rates is of interest for various applications, including structural, military, and sports. Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has a long history of characterizing the high strain rate response of materials and is capable of performing high-rate tests in tension, compression, torsion, and three-point bend.

The SwRI High Rate Test Facility is equipped with instrumentation for measuring, recording, and analyzing test data for strain rates approaching 5,000 s^-1. High-speed imaging systems are also available to record the high rate response.

Microstructural characterization of tested material can be accomplished to determine deformation and failure mechanisms. The facility is staffed with experienced personnel who can adapt test conditions to meet unique requirements.

Dynamic Test Capability

	Dynamic mechanical test specimens

• Tension ( < 2 × 10³ s^-1)

• Compression ( < 5 × 10³ s^-1)

• Torsion ( < 2 × 10² s^-1)

• Fracture toughness

Materials Testing Experience

• Porous materials

• Concretes

• Rocks and soils

• Powders

• Metals

• Ceramics

• Concretes

• Polymers

• Composites

Dynamic Test Equipment

• Split Hopkinson pressure bar systems

• Environments: vacuum, air, Ar, N

• High temperature (T < 1,000 °C)

• High-speed torsion actuator

• Nicolet high-speed data acquisition system

• High-speed strain gage amplifiers (10 MHz)

• High-speed imaging systems

• IMACON ultra high-speed digital camera (up to 108 frames/second)

• Kodak high-speed video system

• Displacement mapping system (DISMAP)

• Confining pressure apparatus (pressures < 300 MPa)

Materials Characterization

	Strain field image showing damage in a metal foam following high strain rate compression testing

• Strain field image showing damage in a metal foam following high strain rate compression testing

• Deformation response: stress-strain curves

• Strain rate sensitivity

• Failure mechanism determination

• Shear band identification

• Deformation measurements (DISMAP)—measures post-test deformation in strained material

• Constitutive model development

Support Facilities

• Metallurgical laboratory

  • Scanning electron microscopy

  • Energy dispersive spectroscopy

  • Auger spectroscopy

  • Optical microscopy

  • X-ray diffraction

• Ballistics and Explosives Range

• Mechanical test laboratory

  • Low strain rate material characterization

  • High-temperature testing

  • Testing in extreme environments

• Full-service machine shop

For more information about characterization of dynamic material response capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Kathryn A. Dannemann, Ph.D. at kdannemann@swri.org or (210) 522-2523.
 

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

August 28, 2008