Both the automotive and aerospace industries continue to drive the development of lightweight steels, stronger aluminums, and composite materials.

Additively manufactured parts face unique testing challenges. Along with many aspects of additive manufacturing, testing and inspection of additively manufactured parts is now being studied. Last October the ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence announced its first set of R&D projects.

Whether you are working on an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone, a car, or an entirely new way to get around, such as a hoverboard, testing is a must. (Yes, hoverboards need testing too.) Physical evaluation testing is required in an increasing number of industries, including electronics.

As one of the most common mechanical components in the world, roller elements are of critical importance. It is necessary for bearings and raceways to be carefully engineered and manufactured so that the machines which use them are as safe and stable as possible.

Hardness testing is an invaluable part of the quality process. There is no question that testing the hardness of a material is vital in industries ranging from automotive to aerospace. It is used for quality control, materials testing, research and development, and component testing. 

The pervasiveness of rubber and plastic products is hard to overstate. They are everywhere, and they have been around for a while. In the case of rubber, it’s been in use since the early 1800s. While rubber and elastomers (from “elastic polymers”) previously had slightly different meanings, today for all practical purposes they are synonymous. 

Shimadzu Scientific Instruments and Oklahoma State University (OSU) have joined forces to help establish The College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology’s (CEAT) Mechanical and Physical Properties Testing Lab.

Rubber materials have characteristic mechanical properties such as elasticity and flexibility, and are widely used for industrial parts, construction materials, and housewares. In particular, a diverse range of synthetic rubber materials with differing properties suited to match their application have been developed.

Each application within the automotive manufacturing process requires a unique set of testing requirements.

Why conduct these tests? There are many reasons to perform materials tests. Data from testing can be used by engineers, scientists, designers, and managers.