What is a Torsion Testing Machine?

According to the Encyclopedia of Biomedical Engineering, torsion testing machine is a mechanical tester that involves the twisting of a sample material along its axis. It is an important test for collecting data regarding torsional shear stress, maximum torque, shear modulus, and breaking angle of a material or the interface between two materials. Normally, a sample is mounted in a torsion tester and one end of the sample is twisted around the long axis until failure, during which the rotational torque and the angular displacement are monitored.

How does Torsion Testing Machine work?

Torsion Tester machines measure the torsional strength, stiffness, and stress-strain properties of materials and products. Torsional Test Systems are used to simulate real-life conditions and to check axial torsion properties through axial torque test of material specimens.

An automated torque testing machine provides torsion test capabilities in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, enabling the determination of not only the ultimate torsional strength but also how the specimen behaves under torque loading in both rotation directions. Torsion tester is an essential equipment to measure axial torsion properties of materials for mechanical and quality laboratories.

Common Torsion Test Applications

• Wire, Metals, Tools
  
• Plastics, composite materials
• Screws, Fasteners, Rods, shafts
• Torsion Springs
• Biomedical Products
• Automotive Components
• Aerospace Components
  
• Calibration of torque sensors
  

Industry Torsion Test Standards

• ASTM D7860-14 Torque Retention for Child Resistant Packaging;
• ASTM F543 Metallic Medical Bone Screws;
• ASTM A938 Torsion Testing of Wire;
  
• ASTM F1717 Spinal Implant Constructs;
• ASTM F2346 Characterization and Fatigue Testing of Spinal Intervertebral Disc Prostheses;
• ISO 7800:2012 - Metallic materials — Wire — Simple torsion test;
• ISO 9649:2016 - Wire — Reverse torsion test;
• IEC 888 Zinc Coated Steel Wires;
  
• ISO 7800 Torsion Testing Wire.
  

Why does proper torque sensor selection matter to your torsion test application?
The torque sensor is the heart of torque testing machines. It is the component that senses the torsional strength underwent by the device under test (DUT).

FUTEK’s TFF400 Reaction Torque Sensors have the following features:

• Flange to flange mounting solution
• Measurements ranging from +/- 5 inch-oz to 500 inch-pounds, (+/-0.04 to 60 Nm)
• Torsional Stiffness of 325 inch-oz/radians to 199,000 Inch pounds/radians.
• Metal Foil Strain Gage technology
• Overload Protection up to 300% of Rated Output for ranges 5 to 1000 in-oz and 150% of RO for ranges between 100 in-lb to 500 in-lb
• Mounting Plate offers flexible mounting options.
• Made from anodized Aluminum for optimum durability
• Low profile: 1.25” (31.7 mm) height
  

In case the measurement of torque and pull / pulling forces in the vertical direction is necessary, the MBA500 Torque and Thrust Bi-Axial Load Cell is designed to measure reaction torque moments as well as tension and compression loads.

Additional TFF400 Features

• Easily integrates into OEM applications
  
• Both rotational directions: CW and CCW
• Designed for Torque auditing
• Aluminum construction
• Built-in overload protection on lower ranges
• Strain gauge based torque-sensing device
• Easy cable disconnect

FUTEK QIA128 embedded digital signal conditioner
FUTEK QIA128 digital embedded signal conditioner is a miniature ultra low power digital signal conditioner with SPI output. Its miniature board of only 8 mm x 8 mm features a selectable sampling rate from 4 SPS to 1300 SPS to achieve from 11.4 up to 14.2 noise-free resolution (NFR) depending on requirements.