Services

Fatigue and Fracture Testing

Laboratory Testing Inc. has the expertise to handle complex testing programs. Our engineers have decades of experience in fatigue crack growth testing across aerospace, power generation, and other key industries.

LTI has a full-service machine shop that supports the lab, with the capability to handle complex test programs – from extraction to large forgings and advanced specimen machining. Our state-of-the-art machine shop has low-stress grinding and polishing capabilities to create the finest specimens in the industry.

Our Project Engineer team supports our customers in this area. This group will be your point person for program management on our floor. They will provide weekly updates and a white-glove approach to your program to ensure we complete it accurately and on time.

Machining

Fatigue and Fracture Testing at LTI

Fatigue and Fracture testing uncovers quantitative results about the structural integrity of tested parts. These test methods predict crack initiation, crack growth, and crack instability. The Fatigue and Fracture Department at LTI performs fatigue crack growth, fracture toughness, and high/low cycle fatigue. Suitable testing materials include metals like aluminum, steel, titanium, and nickel super alloys, composites, and polymers. LTI’s multidisciplinary team is highly active in ASTM Committee E08 on Fatigue and Fracture testing of your specimens and is not only cutting-edge regarding equipment but also personnel.

Capabilities

Specimens: C(T), ESE(T), M(T), SEN(B), SEN(T), Kb bar, corner crack, surface crack, flat, round smooth, round threaded, button head, and custom
Temperature: -320°F to 2250°F
Loading: 110,000 lbf. (max), 50 Hz (cyclical)
Modes:
- Fatigue testing measures the ability of materials to withstand the application of repeated load cycles. The number is relatively large in high-cycle fatigue testing, while low-cycle fatigue testing has fewer stress cycles.
- Fracture toughness testing provides information about a material’s resistance to crack extension under a steadily increasing load. The load and crack length conditions under which a sharp crack will begin to grow in the material are measured.
- Fatigue crack growth testing characterizes the rate at which a preexisting crack will grow under varying stress states. The test measures a crack’s growth rate from a preexisting sharp “starter crack” under the controlled application of a cyclic load. Measurements record the crack’s length at cycle count intervals during the test. The crack length is measured either by compliance changes of the sample using a clip gauge or by the potential drop method.
- Fracture mechanics testing uses FTA test systems and software. Our technicians have experience assisting clients with unique requirements and developing custom procedures to test metals, composites, and polymers. Quantitative data recorded during fracture mechanics testing predicts crack initiation, growth, and instability and determines the tested material’s integrity. The routine testing services offered include elastic-plastic fracture mechanics (JIC), linear elastic fracture mechanics (KIC), crack-tip and opening displacement testing (CTOD).

Specifications

ASTM E399 – Linear-elastic plane-strain fracture toughness KIc of metallic materials
ASTM E647 – Measurement of fatigue crack growth rates (da/dN)
ASTM E1820 – Measurement of fracture toughness (JIc)
ASTM E1921 – Determination of reference temperature for ferritic steels in the transition range
ASTM E466 – Load/force-controlled constant amplitude axial fatigue tests of metallic materials
ASTM E606 – Strain-controlled fatigue testing
BS-EN 6072 – Load-controlled constant amplitude axial fatigue tests of metallic materials
BS-EN 7270 – Constant amplitude strain controlled axial fatigue of metallic materials
NASM 1312-11 – Tension fatigue of fastener

Fatigued by Material Testing Logistics? Try LTI

Fatigue and Fracture testing requires constant and variable amplitude loading equipment to simulate real-world wear. In doing so, product developers better understand when and how materials fail, providing a path to service life improvements. As a test of a material’s endurance, it is a core requirement for all materials and products to ensure safety and determine service life length. At LTI, mechanics testing is just one of the many services we offer in our Philadelphia-area laboratory to save our customers time on approvals and turnaround.

Even before the project began, Chris and Dominic worked with us last year (10 months in advance of PO) to plan and pave the groundwork that made this project successful. As we neared the contract award, we were overwhelmed by the supporting cast (1-2 dozen LTI team members) that joined us for SOW revisions and feedback in August. I truly believe the support in the planning phases from your team was the largest reason this project was successful ... Chris and Dominic – they have been an absolute pleasure working with as our direct POC’s for this effort. Chris really impressed me last year with the level of attention he paid to our job, communication, transparency, and commitment to success. This year, Dominic took over an even bigger job and far exceeded expectations with the same qualities Chris displayed last year. As I walked down the halls of your facility, I saw the 30+ company [culture fundamentals]. I can truly say Dominic and Chris embody each one of them.

LTI has provided excellent customer service throughout several projects, adjusting their standard practices to accommodate specific requests of the customer. The employees involved have been helpful and responsive, we appreciate the personalized service.

I wanted to take the time to personally thank you for the time and effort that LTI has put into the testing involved with our orders. Your staff has been invaluable over the last several years. Additionally, the fact that you are now able to perform Fracture Toughness testing in house has already proven priceless in both the turnaround time and in getting my questions answered. I’ve been fortunate to have worked with LTI since 1986 and I have come to think of LTI as an extension of our company e. I look forward to our continued relationship.

LTI provides an excellent mix of material testing know how and project management. When I send LTI material to test, I know that I will be able to trust the reported values and that it will be provided to me on or before the quoted lead time. I appreciate LTI’s timely response to quotations and project status inquiries. I also trust LTI’s integrity and know that they will accurately report when testing does not go as planned.

I have grown quite fond of LTI and the communication/testing you all do (I recommend you guys all the time now)

A warm and friendly customer service, with a phenomenal technical team always willing to support.

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Partner With LTI Today

Laboratory Testing Inc. has the capacity and capabilities to handle all your material testing needs in a single location. Since 1984, we’ve aided customers worldwide with accurate nondestructive testing and precise material lab services. Request a quote or contact us today to see how our industry-leading turnaround times can keep your mission-critical approvals moving forward.

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