Mechanical testing is a fundamental part of engineering evaluation. The strength of the material or component is vital to ascertain the integrity of a product, and often mechanical testing is needed as part of a failure investigation.

SSD can test the strength of anything from newspaper to seatbelts to parts of aircraft or racing cars made from the strongest superalloys.

• Key Benefits
• Results are readily available
• he position of failure can give important clues
• Proof loads can be applied to establish whether the component will withstand the stresses
• fatigue loads can be applied
• Deformation, stretching, elastic flexing can all be determined
• Fitness for purpose tests can be carried out.

Sometimes tensile tests might appear mundane, but the consequences of inadequate strength are dire. We have tested such a variety of items this way.

Imagine a newspaper print roll running through the press at 30 miles per hour. Tearing of the paper would be a disaster when the 'papers have to be through your letterbox at some unearthly hour. The paper is regularly tested for strength.

Imagine the harness holding the acrobats up in the roof of the Millennium dome. Failure of one of these was the ultimate Millennium experience for the unfortunate acrobat.