Flexion test – Italsigma

Flexure testing

The flexural test measures a material’s strength and ductility by applying a controlled load until the specimen deforms or breaks; that is, when a part is simultaneously subjected to compression on one side and tension on the other.

A flexure test can be used to evaluate, for example:

flexural strength → how much load it can withstand before breaking or deforming;
stiffness → how much the specimen deforms under load;
breaking load → the maximum load reached before failure;
deformation → how much the specimen bends;
elastic/plastic behavior → whether, once the load is removed, it returns to its original shape or remains deformed;
durability → in the case of repeated tests, how the material reacts to numerous bending cycles.

It is therefore particularly useful for determining whether a material, component, or product is sufficiently strong and rigid for its intended use.

How does it work?

The sample is placed on two supports, and a machine applies a force that causes it to bend. During bending, the upper part of the sample is compressed, while the lower part is subjected to tensile stress. This is precisely what allows us to study the material’s behavior when subjected to bending.

Purpose:
This test is essential for: designing more durable gears, selecting better materials and heat treatments, and testing lubricants.
Ensuring reliability in industries such as: automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery.

PROJECTS:

FPF1000 – X-MRG-1907/1000
FATIGUE TESTING MACHINE FOR RAILWAY SLEEPERS
Four-column load frame (6,100 × 3,800 × 3,800 h mm).
- Static capacity: ±1,000 kN (280 bar)
- Maximum static force: 1,200 kN
- Dynamic force: max. 750 kN, min. 10 kN
- Cylinder stroke: ±100 mm
- Maximum dynamic stroke: 7 mm on the specimen at 5 Hz
- Specimen working clearance: 6,000 × 2,600 × 1,000 h mm
FPF500 – SERVO-HYDRAULIC TESTING MACHINE
Four-column testing machine equipped with lateral column reinforcements, designed to withstand test loads up to 500 kN without significant deformation.
The base features a slotted test surface for securing testing fixtures and equipment.
- Support surface: 2,900 × 1,500 mm
- Hydraulic lifting of the upper crosshead
FPF25 – SERVO-HYDRAULIC TESTING MACHINE
Two-column testing machine equipped with a servo-hydraulic actuator mounted above the upper crosshead and a slotted support base.
The load cell can be mounted either on the actuator or on the lower crosshead.
Plane Bending – MINI FP2
The MINI FP2 is a fatigue testing machine featuring a novel approach based on specimen miniaturization and cyclic plane bending loading.
The machine operates at a selectable test frequency of up to 50 Hz. MINI FP2 generates S/N curves for uniform test configurations and correlates the results with those obtained using standard-sized specimens.
LM10 – Linear Testing Machine
Two-column testing machine equipped with an electric actuator mounted on the upper crosshead and a slotted lower support base.
The load cell can be mounted either on the actuator or on the support base. The machine provides very high dynamic performance, with frequencies of up to 80 Hz.
Viaduct Beam Testing System
Testing system consisting of four servo-hydraulic actuators with a total capacity of 6,000 kN (1,500 kN per actuator), a hydraulic power unit and a control system.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Vertical force: 6,000 kN
FPF 30 MN Testing Machine
Uniaxial load frame designed to withstand maximum loads of 30 MN in both compression and tension for testing structural components.
The frame is equipped with a fixed lower crosshead and a movable upper crosshead, allowing adjustment of the available test clearance. The upper crosshead is moved by four servo-hydraulic actuators rigidly connected to the two crossheads. These actuators also apply the test load to the specimen by controlling the displacement of the upper crosshead.
FPF 100 kN – RAILWAY PAD TESTING MACHINE
FPF 100 kN – Four-Column Uniaxial Testing Machine for Railway Pad Testing
- Static vertical load: ±100 kN
- Fatigue vertical load: ±75 kN
- Stroke: 100 mm
- Four-column load frame with slotted test table (2,800 × 1,000 × 700 mm) and hydraulically adjustable upper crosshead, locked in position by hydraulic clamping devices.
- The servo valve controlling the oil flow to the actuator is mounted directly on the actuator.
- The double-acting servo-hydraulic actuator is connected to the upper crosshead and fitted with a load cell on the piston rod, with a static capacity of ±100 kN and a dynamic capacity …
3 MN (300 ton) Testing Machine
Four-column high-stiffness load frame designed for compression testing.
The upper crosshead is moved by servo-hydraulic lifting cylinders and hydraulically locked to the columns. The base features T-slots for secure specimen clamping. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Clear working span: 5 m
- Maximum height: 7 m
- Maximum specimen height: 4.5 m
- Column spacing: 900 mm
- Base dimensions: 4 × 1 m
- Operating hydraulic pressure: 210–280 bar
- Maximum compression force: 3 MN
- Frame stiffness at 1.3 m above the base: 4.5 × 10⁹ N/m
Bending Test Device
Bending Test Device for Railway Sleepers
FULL-SCALE BENDING TESTING MACHINE
Reduced sliding friction: the specimen cylinders and drive system are supported by low-friction sliding guides. The distance between the cylinders can be adjusted to accommodate different tensile load configurations. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Four-point bending tests on steel pipes for gas and oil pipelines.
- Maximum force: 8 MN
- Maximum support span: 26 m
- Maximum pipe length: 30 m
- Maximum pipe diameter: 56" (1,420 mm)
- Maximum pipe deflection: 5,000 mm
LM10 – LOAD FRAME
LM10 – LOAD FRAME FOR TENSILE/COMPRESSION TESTING Two-column testing machine equipped with an electric actuator mounted on the upper crosshead and a slotted lower support base. The load cell can be mounted either on the actuator or on the support base. The machine consists of the following main components:
- Special compact two-column load frame designed to withstand a dynamic axial load of 10 kN
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Maximum height (with motor at the top): 2,700 mm
- Overall footprint: 1,050 × 600 mm
- Clear distance between columns: 450 mm
- Actuator working stroke: 100 mm
- Maximum specimen height: 600 mm
- Machine weight: 750 kg
- Maximum dynamic …
13 MN (1,300 ton) FULL-SCALE TESTING MACHINE
This testing machine performs tensile, compression and bending tests on steel pipes for gas and oil pipelines. It can perform cyclic tests at frequencies of up to 5 Hz and tests on internally or externally pressurized pipes. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Maximum compression force: 10 MN
- Maximum tensile force: 13 MN
- Maximum bending moment: 30 ton·m
- Maximum pipe diameter: 14" (356 mm)
- Maximum pipe length: 2,000 mm
Three- and Four-Point Bending Test System
Testing system designed to perform three- and four-point bending tests using adjustable supports and loading noses.
The system is manufactured from high-strength steel and features graduated scales on the sliding bases, allowing precise positioning of the supports and loading noses. The rollers are interchangeable and manufactured from high-hardness steel. Main features:
- Maximum static and dynamic force: 10 kN
- Adjustable loading-nose span: 40 to 200 mm
- Contact roller width: 50 mm
Italsigma has also developed bending test systems with capacities of up to 500 kN.
FPF50 Servo-Hydraulic Testing Machine
Two-column testing machine equipped with a hydrostatically supported servo-hydraulic actuator mounted above the upper crosshead and a slotted support base.
The load cell can be mounted either on the actuator or on the lower crosshead.
FPF100 Servo-Hydraulic Testing Machine
Two-column testing machine equipped with a servo-hydraulic actuator mounted beneath the lower crosshead and a slotted support base.
The load cell can be mounted either on the actuator or on the upper crosshead.