The FT 202 Control Module is a companion to the FT 201 Loading Module to test for plane-strain fracture toughness in accordance with ASTM standard method
E 1304. Fracture toughness test specimens tested by method E 1304 are commonly referred to as Short Rod (SR) specimens.
In the fracture toughness test, the SR specimen is placed in the FT 201 Loading Module where a precision drive screw mechanism applies a mouth opening load to advance a crack in the test specimen. Load and mouth opening transducers in the loading module monitor load and displacement during the test.
The FT 202 Control Module is a table-top unit that is connected by cables to the FT 201 Loading Module. The control module includes front panel controls to allow the operator to set loading speed, to start and stop loading and unloading of the test specimen, and to adjust initial load cell and specimen mouth opening transducer zeros. The control module also includes large digital displays for the output of both the load and displacement transducers. Analog output signals proportional to load and displacement are available on connectors on the back of the FT 202, to allow the user to plot load-displacement curves on an X-Y recorder or similar device.
Front panel test controls on the FT 202 include a Load/Stop/Unload select switch and a speed control dial. During a typical fracture toughness test, a mouth opening load must be applied to the test specimen until a crack begins to advance in the specimen. Continued loading causes additional crack advance in the test specimen. At several times during the test sequence, it is necessary to perform unloading-reloading cycles. These test procedures are controlled by means of the front panel controls on the FT 202. To begin loading, the Load/Stop/Unload select switch is set to the "Load" position.. To begin an unload-reload cycle, the select switch is set to "Stop" and then to "Unload." Speed can be adjusted at any time during the test by setting the speed control dial.
The FT 202 Control Module includes signal conditioning for the load and displacement transducers on the FT 201 Loading Module. Output values from these transducers are displayed on two digital panel meters. These meters are programmable, allowing values to be displayed in engineering units.
Features:
- Provides manual control capability of the FT 201 Loading Module.
- Dual digital meters to display current load and displacement values in engineering units.
- Peak load values can be stored for ease of data reduction in KIvM tests.
- Continuously variable speed control.
- Analog outputs to drive X-Y recorder.
Specifications - FT 202 Control Module:
| Signal Conditioning | |
| Accuracy (25 C): Integration time: Conversion technique: |
±0.005% of reading 13 samples/sec (60 Hz) 12 samples/sec (50 Hz) Dual-slope |
| Display | |
| LEDs: Decimal position: |
6, 0.54" h, 14 segment Programmable |
| Analog Output | |
| Standard range: Resolution: Accuracy: |
0-10 VDC 15 bit. 1% |
| Dimensions | |
| Case size (W x D x H): Weight (lb.): |
15" x 15" x 6.25" 20 |
| Compatible loading module: | FT 201 |
Options
| Analog output: | 0-5 VDC, 0-20 mA, 4-20 mA |
Signal conditioning for FT 201 grip displacement transducer (LVDT).
Automated Test Control
The FT 202 can be equipped with a PC interface card which allows the test functions that are typically controlled manually using the front panel controls, to be controlled by signals from a PC, allowing the fracture toughness test, data acquisition, and data reduction to be automated.