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Submitted:
29 May 2024
Posted:
30 May 2024
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Category | Test Type | Purpose | Technical Aspects | General Outcomes | Examples of the Testing Standards |
Mechanical Properties Testing | Compression Strength | To determine a material's resistance to compression forces | Application of compressive force until failure | Maximum compression force the material can withstand | ASTM C39 [6]; BS EN 12390-3 [7]; EN 12390-3 [8] |
Flexural Strength | To assess a material's ability to resist bending forces | Bending a specimen until it fractures or yields | Maximum stress at failure and the material's flexural modulus | ASTM C78 [9]; BS EN 12390-5 [10]; EN 12390-5 [11] | |
Shear Strength | To evaluate the material's resistance to shear forces | Applying force parallel to the specimen's cross-section | Shear strength at yield or fracture | ASTM D732 [12]; BS 7991 [13]; EN ISO 1922 [14] | |
Modulus of Elasticity Test | To determine a material's ability to deform elastically under stress | Subjecting the material to a known load and measuring deformation | Elastic modulus, indicating stiffness or rigidity | ASTM E111 [15]; BS EN ISO 527-1 [16]; EN ISO 527-1 [17] | |
Hardness Test | To measure a material's resistance to deformation and scratching | Indenting the material with a specific force | Hardness value, indicating wear resistance and ductility | ASTM D785 [18]; BS EN ISO 2039-1 [19]; EN ISO 2039-1 [20] | |
Impact Resistance Test | To determine the material's ability to withstand sudden impacts | Dropping a weight from a known height or swinging a pendulum | Energy absorbed before failure, indicating toughness | ASTM D256 [21]; BS EN ISO 179-1 [22]; EN ISO 179-1 [23] | |
Creep Test | To measure time-dependent deformation under constant stress | Subjecting the material to a constant load at a temperature | Creep rate and time to failure, providing insights on long-term stability | ASTM C512 [24]; BS 1881-122 [25]; EN 13791 [26] | |
Fatigue Test | To assess endurance under cyclic loading | Repeatedly applying a stress or strain cycle | Number of cycles to failure, indicating fatigue life | ASTM E466 [27]; BS 7270 [28]; EN 6072 [29] | |
Chemical Properties Testing | Spectroscopy | Analyze material composition | Interaction of light with matter (absorption, emission, etc.) | Elemental and molecular composition | ASTM E1252 [30]; BS EN ISO 3696 [31]; EN ISO 3696 [32] |
Chromatography | Separate and analyze components of a mixture | Mobile and stationary phases to separate substances | Identification and quantification of mixture components | ASTM D6581 [33]; BS EN 12341 [34]; EN 12341 [35] | |
X-ray Fluorescence | Elemental analysis | Excitation of atoms in a sample by X-ray beam and measuring emitted radiation | Elemental composition | ASTM D4327 [36]; BS EN ISO 11885 [37]; EN ISO 11885 [38] | |
pH Measurement | Determine acidity or alkalinity | Use of pH meters or indicators | pH value | ASTM E70 [39]; BS 3978 [40]; EN ISO 10523 [41] | |
Thermal Properties Testing | Thermogravimetric Analysis | Measure changes in mass as a function of temperature | Controlled temperature program leading to material decomposition | Decomposition temperatures, mass loss | ASTM E1131 [42]; BS EN 8201 [43]; EN 8201 [44] |
Differential Scanning Calorimetry | Measure heat flow associated with material transitions | Heat is applied and the difference in heat flow between the sample and reference is measured | Glass transition, crystallization, melting points | ASTM D3418 [45]; BS EN ISO 11357 [46]; EN ISO 11357 [47] | |
Thermal Conductivity Test | Evaluate the material's ability to conduct heat | Steady-state or transient methods to measure heat flow | Thermal conductivity value | ASTM C518 [48]; BS EN 12667 [49]; EN 12667 [50] | |
Thermal Expansion Test | Measure the material's dimensional change with the temperature | Material is heated and dimensional changes are recorded | Coefficient of thermal expansion | ASTM E831 [51]; BS EN ISO 11359 [52]; EN ISO 11359 [53] | |
Hot Disk Thermal Constants Analyzer | Determine thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and specific heat | Transient plane source technique | Thermal properties | ASTM D7896 [54] | |
Microstructural Properties Testing | Scanning Electron Microscopy | Examine surface morphology and composition | Electron beam scans the surface, generating various signals | High-resolution images, elemental analysis | ASTM ESEM [55]; BS 340-1 [56]; EN ISO 22309 [57] |
X-ray Diffraction | Identify crystalline phases and orientation | X-rays diffracted by crystal lattice | Phase identification, crystal structure | ASTM D8 [58]; BS EN 13925 [59]; EN 13925 [60] | |
Transmission Electron Microscopy | Visualize internal structure at atomic level | Electron beam transmitted through thin specimen | High-resolution internal structure | ASTM E2015 [61]; ISO 21432 [62]; ASTM E1621 [63] | |
Atomic Force Microscopy | Image surfaces at atomic scale | Probe scans the surface with atomic-scale resolution | Surface topography | ASTM E2382 [64]; BS EN ISO 20903 [65]; EN ISO 20903 [66] | |
Durability Properties Testing | Freeze-Thaw Testing | Evaluate durability against freeze-thaw cycles | Cyclic freezing and thawing of material samples | Resistance to freeze-thaw damage | ASTM C666 [67]; BS EN 1367-1 [68]; EN 1367-1 [69] |
Sulfate Attack Testing | Assess resistance to sulfate exposure | Immersion in sulfate solution or exposure to sulfate-rich environment | Durability against sulfate attack | ASTM C1012 [70]; BS EN 13295 [71]; EN 13295 [72] | |
Chemical Resistance Test | Determine the material's resistance to chemicals | Exposure to aggressive chemicals | Degree of resistance to chemical exposure | ASTM G31 [73]; ASTM C267 [74]; ISO 175 [75] | |
Corrosion Testing | Assess susceptibility to corrosion | Exposure to a corrosive environment or application of electrical methods | Corrosion rate, type, and form | ASTM G48 [76]; ASTM G1 [77]; EN ISO 9227 [78] | |
Chloride Penetration Testing | Evaluate resistance to chloride ingress | Application of an electrical field or ponding test | Depth of chloride penetration | ASTM C1202 [79]; BS EN 12390-8 [80]; EN 12390-8 [81] | |
Carbonation Testing | Assess resistance to carbonation | Exposure to a CO2-rich environment | Depth of carbonation front | ASTM C1583 [82]; BS EN 13295 [83]; EN 13295 [84] | |
Moisture Absorption Test | Measure the material's ability to absorb moisture | Weighing before and after moisture exposure | Percentage of moisture absorbed | ASTM C1585 [85]; BS 1881-124 [86]; EN 13791 [87] | |
Salt Spray Test | Evaluate resistance to salt corrosion | Exposure to salt mist or fog | Corrosion resistance in saline environments | ASTM B117 [88]; BS EN ISO 9227 [89]; EN ISO 9227 [90] | |
Physical Properties Testing | Porosity and Density Measurements | Determine porosity and density | Archimedes' principle, pycnometry, or mercury intrusion porosimetry | Porosity percentage, density | ASTM D792 [91]; BS EN 1936 [92]; EN 1936 [93] |
Water Absorption Test | Assess the material's ability to absorb water | Immersion in water and measuring weight gain | Water absorption capacity | ASTM C1585 [85]; BS EN 13755 [94]; EN 13755 [95] | |
Shrinkage Test | Measure the material's dimensional stability | Length measurements before and after drying or curing | Degree of shrinkage | ASTM C157 [96]; BS EN 12617-4 [97]; EN 12617-4 [98] | |
Rheological Properties Testing | Viscosity Measurement | Determine fluid's resistance to flow | Rotational viscometers or capillary viscometers | Viscosity value | ASTM D445 [99]; BS EN ISO 3104 [100]; EN ISO 3104 [101] |
Workability Tests | Evaluate concrete or mortar's ease of placement | Slump test, flow table test, or Vebe test | Workability index or value | ASTM C143 [102]; BS EN 12350-2 [103]; EN 12350-2 [104] | |
Non-Destructive Testing | Ultrasonic Testing | Detect internal flaws or characterize materials | High-frequency sound waves are transmitted through material | Flaw detection, material thickness | ASTM E494 [105]; BS EN 583-2 [106]; EN 583-2 [107] |
Radiography | Visualize internal features using X-rays or gamma rays | Penetrating radiation passes through material and is captured on film or sensor | Internal defects, weld quality | ASTM E1742 [108]; BS EN 444 [109]; EN 444 [110] | |
Ground Penetrating Radar | Detect buried objects or changes in material properties | Radar pulses are sent into the ground and reflections from sub-surface structures are analyzed | Subsurface features, layer thickness | ASTM D6432 [111]; BS 5930 [112]; EN 1997-2 [113] | |
Free Vibration Testing | Assess dynamic properties of structures | Natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios are determined through vibration analysis | Dynamic characteristics of structures | ASTM E289 [114]; BS EN ISO 7626-5 [115]; EN ISO 7626-5 [116] |
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