APPLICATION OVERVIEWS

This section provides information about some common applications, along with suggestions about which accessories are most appropriate. With such a huge variety of applications, we are not able to cover everything, so please contact us with specific questions if you cannot find the answer in this section of the catalog.

For more up-to-date information on your specific application, visit Industry Solutions at www.instron.com.

Polymers are utilized in virtually every facet of human activity and industry — from packaging to automotive, electronics to healthcare, and construction to aerospace. The list is endless. Replacement of traditional materials such as metals with polymers is largely due to the cost-effectiveness and many superior attributes of plastic. The electrical insulation, color, strength, and high-speed molding qualities have made plastics well-suited for electrical appliances ranging from handheld mixers and hair dryers to power tools and automotive components. The aircraft and aerospace industries have made wide use of engineering plastics in structural parts and components in windows, panels and other applications.

Mechanical characterization of the properties of plastics and polymers is critical in the development of materials and manufacturing processes, as well as for quality control. Since the properties of polymers are greatly affected by temperature, testing must be done at high and low temperatures to simulate end-use conditions. Tensile, bend/flexure, compression, fatigue, puncture, shear, and impact/high-rate tests are commonly used.

Instron® provides a range of grips, fixtures, accessories and environmental chambers suitable for rigid, semi-rigid and flexible thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics, films, laminates, foams, and finished components.