1- introduction

Calibration of a universal testing machine entails verification of the

accuracy of the system’s instruments responsible for obtaining force and
displacement measurements. In principle, calibration of an instrument is
the comparison of the instrument to one that has been calibrated to a
known traceable standard. This ultimately certifies its accuracy and
determines traceability of the measurements. Internationally recognized
standards have been developed for calibration of crosshead speed and
displacement (ASTM E2658 and E2309), strain and load rate (ASTM
E2309), and measurement of tension, compression (ASTM E4), torque
(ASTM E2624), and dynamic force (ASTM E467). Calibration
certificates typically display a range of reference values generated by the
calibration device, the corresponding values obtained by the instrument
being calibrated, and the difference between the two. If the instrument
being calibrated is not within a specified tolerance, it is adjusted to be
within bounds of the specification if possible. Otherwise, further
investigation may be required to determine the cause.

2- Why should I calibrate my system?

Many companies use universal testing machines to validate their
product’s material properties during their quality control stage prior to
distribution. Often times, the product’s test results must fall within a
range of values in order to the product to “pass”. Performing these
validation tests with a system whose calibration certifications have
expired may yield inaccurate test results, which may ultimately lead to a
company distributing non-conforming products. In order to reduce the
potential of manufacturing errors within a company, maintaining an up-
to-date calibration schedule is vital. In research and development
laboratories, inaccurate test results may lead a user to inaccurate
conclusions about a test specimen, distorting proposed findings. Testing
laboratories must maintain certification through calibration to ensure that
they can dependably perform requested tests by their customers. In most
settings where universal testing machines are used, it is fundamental that
the measurement devices associated with the machine be as accurate as
possible. For this reason alone it is important, and for some companies
essential, to maintain a consistent and frequent calibration schedule.
 3- How is calibration performed?
ADMET technicians use our Gauge Buster 2 Portable Calibration unit to
calibrate measurement devices on a materials testing machine. When a
materials testing machine is calibrated, reference points of the
measurement device are checked in comparison to a device calibrated to a
known traceable standard laboratory, such as NIST. The calibration
procedures are determined by internationally recognized standards. For
example, ASTM E4 specifies tension and compression force calibration
procedures. The locations of the reference points to be calibrated are
determined by the standard and checked on an initial run. The verification
is then repeated a second time. If the error on each run and the
repeatability calculations show error less than 1%, the measurement
device passes and calibration is verified. If the errors are greater than 1%,
the service technician will adjust values of the measurement device’s
calibration manually so that the measurements match the target range of
the calibrated device

From the stress-srain diagrams and the test specimens before and after
sizes, the following features can be calculated:
Strength characteristics:
 Tensile strength: Calculated as the maximum force divided by the

original cross-sectional area results fictive voltage:

  Yield point: Typical voltage, can be calculated, from the

phenomenon of the flow of force:

 Conventional yield strength: Voltage is calculated from the 0.2%

permanent deformation of force:

 True stress: calculated by dividing the characteristic strength of the

current effective cross-section:

Deformation characteristics:

 Uniform elongatiom:

 Elongation-to-break:

 Contraction:

 Logarithmic deformation:
For plastic deformation technologies logarithmic deformation is used
because in this case the sequential percentage deformations can be
summed properly. The tensile test results are important measurement
funds in the technical life. Scaling the elastic deformation and rigidity is
based on the modulus of elasticity in tension (also known as Young's
modulus) and for the transverse deformation is the Poisson's ratio.
Basics of Static strength design: Yield stress (so-called maximum voltage
reduced with the appropriate safety factor); conventional yield point and
tensile strength.
In addition to tensile tests, compressive bending tests are common. It is
often used for the classification of small deformation capacity pottery,
cast iron, hard metals, rigid composites, etc...