Tensile Testers:
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 rubber coated capstans. The fiber is loaded either by
moving the capstans apart (Standard Tensile Tester) or by rotating one of the
capstans to wind in the fiber (Long Gauge Length Tensile Tester and the
Table
Top Tensile Tester).
 TENSION
for Windows control software is now available.
We manufacture three different tensile testers which have the
following capabilities in common:
 | load is measured using a precision load cell attached to
one capstan |
| servo control of loading to achieve exactly specified
stress/strain rate |
| can be used for pull testing and proof testing of fiber
components |
| option available for measuring polymer
Coating Strip Force or pullout force |
| measurements are compliant with all current standard test
procedures
 | Telcordia GR-20 |
| FOTP-28 Tensile Strength and Fatigue |
| IEC 60793-1-31 Tensile Strength |
| IEC 60793-1-33 Stress corrosion susceptibility |
| FOTP-178 Coating Strip Force |
| Corning MM18 Coating Strip Force |
| Draft FOTP-105 Coating Pullout Force |
| IEC 60793-1-32 Coating Strippability |
|
1. Standard Tensile
Tester
| 1/2 meter test length (optionally 1 meter) |
| moves capstan apart using a precision translation stage |
| hardware compatible with Two-Point Bend Tester (each can be
upgraded to the other) |
2. Long Gauge
Length Tensile Tester
| from ~10 cm to 10 meter gauge length (or beyond!) |
| employs rotating capstan |
| up to 8 specimens can tested simultaneously |
3. Table Top Tensile Tester, T4
| compact and enclosed table top tester with small footprint |
| employs a rotating capstan or optionally a non-rotating translating
capstan |
| development nearly complete -
expected available summer 2006 |
| 
