Tensile Tester:

Uniaxial tensile testing is conceptually the simplest strength measurement technique for optical fiber.  It involves gripping the ends of the fiber and pulling them until failure occurs. The fiber must be gripped carefully in order to avoid damaging it. Gripping is achieved by wrapping the fiber around coated capstans. The fiber is then stressed either by rotating one of the capstans to wind in the fiber (Table Top Tensile Tester) or by moving the capstans apart (TT-SLIDE option for the Table Top Tensile Tester). The Table Top Tensile Tester is recommended for future applications because of its convenience and versatility (e.g. long gauge length testing).

TENSION for Windows control software is now available.

We build three different versions tensile testers which have the following capabilities in common:

(Click on the picture for a bigger version)

Features

1. A rotating capstan is used to apply load to the fiber. A non-rotating capstan on a translation stage is available as an option.

2. Manual control of the capstan motor makes loading fiber onto the rotating capstan easier.

3. The fiber/test specimen is attached to the load cell by wrapping around a rubber-coated capstan.

4. The fully enclosed precision load cell is protected from flying debris.

5. The rotating capstan and load cell are mounted on plates which can be moved to provide any test length up to 0.5 meters (1 meter available as an option). A flexible bellows protects internal electronic and mechanical components from debris.

6. Strong fiber shatters when it breaks generating flying debris which can be a danger to eyesight. A transparent door protects the operator from the debris. A failsafe interlock system warns the operator when the door is open during a test.

7. A fan in the door ensures that the environment around the fiber is the same as the surrounding air.

8. The System Controller contains a dedicated high-performance microprocessor which provides real-time control of the capstan motor. It also contains the high speed data acquisition system used to measure the load cell signal.

9. Versatile and easy-to-use Windows software controls the instrument. For example, TENSION for Windows is used for strength measurement and STRIP for Windows for coating strip force measurement. The instrument connects to the computer by either a serial or USB port.

10. The instrument is compact with ~ 150 x 150 mm footprint.

Long Gauge Length Option

An option for The Table Top Tensile Tester permits long gauge length testing. For this option, the body of the tester can be separated into two sections, one containing the load cell with capstan, and the other containing the rotating motorized capstan. By mounting these two sections separately, fiber test lengths of up to 20 meters or more can be achieved. The option includes a pulley so that, if needed, the fiber can be folded back on itself thus making the system more compact (as permitted by FOTP-28C).

Fixtures

A variety of mounting fixtures can be used with the Table Top Tensile Tester:

The Table Top Tensile Tester is designed principally for use with standard telecommunications fiber (125 µm glass diameter) with failure loads in the range of 5 to 100 newtons. A more robust capstan motor and load cell can be used for stronger or thicker fiber. Very weak fiber might break while wrapping around the 50 mm diameter capstans - pneumatic grips (T4-GRIP) used in conjunction with the translating capstan option (T4-SLIDE) might be considered. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs so that we can specify a system that best suits your application.

Load Cell Calibration

The control software has built in features for precisely calibrating the load cell by hanging test weights on the system using a piece of string.  We do not supply calibration weights due to high shipping costs, so customers should obtain their own test weights.  Please consult any standard test methods you use for further information.

Specifications

The maximum loading rates are for 125 µm glass diameter silica optical fibers. Contact us for information on loading rates other fiber sizes. 

Requirements

A PC running Windows 95 or later with a serial or USB port. Calibration weights are needed to calibrate the load cell for compliance with standard test procedures.

Options

Coating Strip Force and Pull-out Force (T4-STRIP)

This option includes fixtures for measuring Coating Strip Force and Pull-out Force.  Replacement stripping tools are available separately (T4-TOOL) for a variety of glass and outer coating diameters.  T4-STRIP includes one stripping tool for 125/250 µm fiber.
 

Long Gauge Length Option (T4-LGL)

The body of the T4 tester is in two pieces for this option; one piece incorporates the load cell and the other the rotating or translating capstan for applying load to the fiber.  The two parts can be mounted an arbitrary distance apart so that a gauge length of up to 20 meters or more can be used.  An included pulley permits, if desired, folding the fiber into two thus halving the overall length of the system compared to the gauge length.  This option is not available as an upgrade for existing systems.

 

One Meter Gauge Length (T4-1M)

The standard system is designed for gauge lengths of up to 0.5 meters, but this option permits gauge lengths of up to one meter. This option is not available as an upgrade for existing systems.

 

Translating Capstan Option (T4-SLIDE)

The standard system applies load to the fiber by rotating one of the capstans to wind in the fiber.  Optionally the rotating capstan is replaced by a capstan attached to a slide or translation stage - the fiber is then loaded by moving both the two capstans apart. Both methods are permitted by moist standard test methods, but the translating capstan has some advantages, such as the ability to attach the coating stripping tool for T4-STRIP to a more robust platform than the load cell.

 

The standard system is designed for use with standard 125 µm glass diameter telecommunication fibers. The system can be used with thicker fibers but a higher capacity, 400 N load cell is required. Please contact us for information.

 

A lower capacity load cell option (50 N) is available for testing very thin or very weak fibers. Please contact us for information.

This option supplies the Table Top Tensile System packed into a robust impact and water tight instrument case.  The case is lined with foam with custom cutouts for the tester.  This low cost option is highly recommended.

Ordering Information

^† must be ordered at same time as T4.

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