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Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) www.efw.eads.net in Dresden is a 100% subsidiary and business unit of EADS. Within EADS, EFW is the centre of competence for the conversion of Airbus passenger aircraft into freighters (A300 & A310 widebody aircraft) and the associated maintenance. EFW is also the centre of excellence for the manufacture of fibre-reinforced sandwich components for interior furnishings and floor panels of the entire Airbus family.
Zwick recently installed a Z100 (100kN) testing system in the centre of excellence for carrying out research and development of new pre-preg systems specifically concerning sandwich layers, filaments, investigating new types of material and resins, and the weaving process itself.
EFW has taken advantage of Zwick's technology lead in high precision extensometry and tooling for tensile, compression and flexure testing of the material properties of composites.
After evaluating different strain measurement possibilities Zwick was able to recommend its videoXtens extensometer for the tests on pre-preg systems and metallic materials due to its ability to measure very small strains with high accuracy, as well as larger elongations until specimen failure. Also able to measure transverse strain without requiring marks on the specimen and to perform 3 point flexure tests, it represents a considerable cost and time saving compared to traditional methods.
EFW also purchased a Hydraulic Composite Compression Fixture (HCCF) which offers significant advantages when compared to traditional fixtures found in many composites testing laboratories. For production testing the fixture allows quick and easy clamping of test specimens, avoiding the need to disassemble and reassemble typical compression and Celanese / IITRI type rigs. Excellent clamping, alignment, and axiality guarantees repeatable test results. In addition, strain or deflection can be measured using the videoXtens extensometer and this avoids the need for expensive and time consuming attachment of strain gages and their associated instrumentation and calibration processes.
Mario Kasten, EFW's Composites Engineer explains "We purchased the Zwick system because it was the unique in providing a complete solution for our needs, including the testing machine, testXpert®® software, grips and tooling, high precision extensometry, Hydraulic Composites Compression Fixture, and a remotely controlled temperature chamber. We could not carry out these tests in the past so we are now well prepared for our future developments as well as our routine testing programme".
Amongst others, EFW carries out the following tests:
EN ISO 527-4 - Evaluation of tensile properties.
EN ISO 14125 - Evaluation of flexure properties (3 point bending test on a specimen size of 100 x 15 x 4 mm.
EN ISO 14126 - Determination of compressive properties in the in-plane direction
EN ISO 14129 - Tensile test on 45 laminates for in-plane evaluation of shear modulus (specimen size: 270 x 25 x 2mm)
AITM 1-0019 Determination of lap shear tensile strength of composite joints (procedure A) with specimen size 200 x 25 x 4
EN 10002-1 - Tensile test on metallic materials.
For more information contact Zwick at info@zwickroell.eu
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