This month saw R-TECH Materials run their first UK based training course on mechanical testing of composites. The course which was organised by Zwick Roell, was designed to overcome an identified lack of expertise amongst composite testing technicians across the industry as a whole. R-TECH Materials were approached by Zwick Roell after a presentation by Dr Geraint Havard at this year’s Subcon event, who were particularly impressed with R-Tech’s composites capability and growing expertise.
The one day course, based at R-TECH Materials’ laboratories in Port Talbot, combined classroom based theory with practical demonstration including tension, compression and flexural tests. The course content included:
- Why we carry out mechanical testing
- Definitions of common testing terms
- Explanation of a composite material
- Benefits of composite materials
- Common types of test
- Tensile testing and sample preparation
- Strain measurement
- The application of universal testing machines and grips
- Compression testing and sample preparation
- Compression fixtures
- Shear and flexural testing
- Impact testing and fracture toughness
- Hardness testing
- Sandwich panel test methods
The course itself proved to be a hit, with 10 of the 12 delegates rating the course as excellent, with the other 2 regarding the course as good. Feedback included:
“It’s great to have such a course taken by people who do the work and know what they are talking about, as opposed to academics”
“Enjoyed viewing the labs and demonstration of test methods. Course content was also well presented (also cupcakes were great)”
“Good theory backed up by lab demos”
“Great practical demonstrations and it was good to be able to talk to an experienced technician”
R-TECH Materials and Zwick Roell plan to run the course again in approximately 3 months’ time. If you are interested in attending this course in the future, please contact info@r-techmaterials.com and we will ensure that you will be notified as soon as a date for the course is arranged.
