Why materials testing are necessary

For example, you might need to test the tensile strength of a load-bearing building material, or the porosity of a material that will be used in a very humid environment. However, the intended outcome is always the same: to ensure that materials are safe and reliable, and that they will do the job for many years without expensive maintenance, without damage to the building, and without endangering property or human life. A lot of CMT happens in the laboratory, before materials are shipped or even specified.

This allows precise characteristics to be listed on product datasheets, so that you can choose the correct materials for the job without needing to test them yourself.

Alternatively, you might request a sample or buy a small quantity of a particular product, carry out laboratory testing yourself, and only then specify it for use at scale across your project. In some cases, laboratory testing is used as a follow-up if field testing of construction materials proves inconclusive, or if the results obtained are on the border of acceptability.

There are many types of laboratory testing but some of the most common construction materials tested in the laboratory include:. This is not an exhaustive list, but it shows some of the physical properties that can be verified in the laboratory, before a particular product is used on a job. Two commonly used indices of ductility are total elongation and reduction of area. For suppliers, the mechanical properties are an important measure of product quality, and buyers often require certification of the values.

Forgot your password? The Importance of Materials Testing. Previous Next. Contact us today! Have a question about materials testing? We're ready to help! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest. Request a Quote Contact Us. It is clear that LTI is a wonderful group of people to work with and they operate in a true team environment.

Your staff has gone over and above the call of duty to help Superior Tube. We truly appreciate your help. Materials Testing is performed for a variety of reasons and can provide a wealth of information about the tested materials, prototypes or product samples.

The data collected during testing and the final test results can be very useful to engineers, designers, production managers and others. Many products are used in critical applications where a failure could result in extensive damage or injury.

Some examples are manufactured fasteners and parts that have a vital role in maintaining the safety of aircraft, bridges, vehicles, nuclear reactors, military equipment and medical implants. In addition, many jurisdictions have adopted legislation restricting the use of hazardous materials.

In cases like these, governments and regulatory bodies set compliance requirements that must be met by manufacturers. Companies must adhere to these standards, which generally specify test procedures, to prove compliance.