MATERIALS TEST & ANALYSIS SPECIAL REPORT: Twist it, Crunch it, Bash it, and Bust it
Gentle it's not, but a thorough materials testing program can help manufacturers ensure customer safety and ward off liability lawsuits.
The Titanic, considered indestructible by engineers, may have sunk because of weak rivets. The Hyatt Regency Skywalk in Kansas City, MO, collapsed at its base under the weight of pedestrians. Aloha Airlines Flight 243 literally had its roof torn off as cabin pressure caused cracks within the fuselage to turn into large fractures. These disasters may have been caused by equipment or material failure. And it is these kinds of tragedies that engineers seek to avoid through the process of materials testing.
Tough Enough?
What is materials testing? It's the process of twisting, turning, hitting and squeezing materials to make sure they stand up to intense stress, strain and impact. Materials testing examines the toughness, flexibility and overall strength of a given substance.