INSTRUMENT FOR MEASURING THE INTRINSIC STRENGTH OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS VIA CUTTING

摘要

A testing instrument and method for measuring the intrinsic strength of polymeric materials via cutting includes a pair of mechanical clamps connected at a base to low-friction hinges. The clamps are configured to secure the elongate edges of a polymer specimen, and to periodically load the specimen to a predetermined strain. The load on the specimen while strained is measured with an opening force load sensor. While in the strained condition, the specimen is cut with a highly sharpened blade, and the cutting force also measured by a cutting force load sensor. A cutting energy curve may be plotted from these measurements, from which a cutting energy can further be derived. The cutting energy is compared to a control material with a known cutting energy and intrinsic strength. The cutting energy and intrinsic strength being linearly proportional, the cutting energy for the specimen may thereby be determined.

主权项

1. An apparatus for ascertaining an intrinsic strength of a polymeric material, comprising:
a pair of clamps hingedly attached to a base, and configured to secure opposing edges of a test specimen formed from the polymeric material; a first drive connected to the clamps and configured to selectively open the clamps in an opening motion, the test specimen strained during the opening motion of the clamps; a blade spaced apart from the base and configured to be moved between the clamps; and a second drive connected to the blade and configured to selectively advance the blade through the test specimen in a cutting motion while the test specimen is being strained.