DCI offers testing systems designed specifically for making plane-strain fracture toughness measurements in accordance with ASTM standard method E 1304.

FT 201 Loading Module This module is a table top unit which applies an opening load to a standard E 1304 test specimen. The loading module incorporates a pair of grips which apply the opening load to the test specimen as well as transducers which monitor the mouth opening load and the mouth opening displacement during the fracture toughness test. This module requires a compatible control module to control opening and closing motion of the specimen grips and to display the output of the load and mouth opening displacement transducers.

FT 202 Control Module Two versions of the FT 202 Control Module are available to control the FT 201 Loading Module.

The FT 202M is a manual version of the module, providing capability for an operator to manually control opening load speed and direction. Digital readouts display current values of mouth opening load and mouth opening displacement. The digital readouts are capable of storing peak values of load during the test for use in K_IvM measurements. In the manual version, analog outputs are available for load and displacement values to allow a load-displacement record to be made on a separate recording device.

The FT 202A has the same manual functions as the FT 202M, but includes an interface that allows the fracture toughness test to be automated by means of the DCI Automated Fracture Toughness (AFT) hardware and software.

AFT The Automated Fracture Toughness system includes a PC, a printer, and the AFT software. This hardware and software interface to the FT 202A Control Module to provide capability to conduct fracture toughness tests under complete computer control. The load-displacement curve is plotted on the PC monitor in real time during the test. All loading and unloading decisions are made by the AFT software, the software distinguishes between smooth crack and crack jump behavior, and following test completion, K_Iv value(s) are calculated automatically. A test report is printed, including a hard copy of the load-displacement record. The AFT system can be provided with Windows NT or Windows 98.

DCI also offers equipment repair and upgrades for Fractometer* test systems. These services include repair of flatjacks for Fractometer I test systems, LPO gauges for Fractometer II test systems, and calibration of these systems. DCI AFT hardware and software can be modified to control Fractometer test systems.

* Fractometer is a registered trademark of TerraTek Inc.