Evaluate static compressive strength characteristics of materials, products, & components


compression test
Compression Test Machine

A compression test is a mechanical test in which a material or product responds to forces that push, compress, squash, crush and flatten the test specimen. Compression testing is a fundamental mechanical test, similar in nature to tensile and bend tests. Compression tests characterize material and product strength and stiffness under applied crushing loads. These tests are typically conducted by applying compressive pressure to a test specimen using platens or specialized fixtures with a testing machine that produces compressive loads.

Compression Test

During a compression test, properties of the material including sample stress and strain are measured and various calculations made. Data is plotted as a stress-strain diagram. Data is used to determine qualities such as compressive strength, elastic limit, proportional limit, yield point, yield strength, and modulus of elasticity. 

Many samples are placed between two plates or platens that distribute the applied load across the entire surface area of two opposite faces of the test sample. The plates are compressed together by a compression-capable test machine, causing the sample to flatten. The sample's deflection or strain is measured by the machine or by a deflectomer or extensometer. 

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What Is the Purpose of a Compression Test?

The goal of compression testing is to determine the behavior or response of a material while it experiences a compressive load by measuring fundamental variables, such as, strain, stress, and deformation. By testing a material in compression the compressive strength, yield strength, ultimate strength, elastic limit, and the elastic modulus among other parameters may all be determined. With the understanding of these different parameters and the values associated with a specific material it may be determined whether or not the material is suited for specific applications or if it will fail under the specified stresses.

Ultimate Compressive Strength Measurements

A compressive strength test measures the compressive load or stress that a material can resist before fracturing. The test sample form is usually a cube, prism or cylinder that is compressed between compression plates or platen. The force is measured by the load cell and data gathered by the test controller. In these applications, machine platen to platen displacement is measured using the crosshead motion position encoder. Some materials fracture at their compressive strength limit; others deform irreversibly, so a deformation limit may be considered as the limit for compressive load. Compressive strength measurements are affected by the specific test method and conditions of measurement.

Characterizing Compressive Stress Strain Properties

In addition to strength, many applications involve the characterization of the uniaxial stress strain properties including compressive modulus of elasticity, yield and elastic limit, proportional limit, yield point, and yield strength. Multiple test  applications measure hardness or stiffness under compression loading. 

The accuracy of strain measurements depends upon the precision of deflection, displacement or strain sensors that measure sample deformation. By mounting the sensor on the test sample, or measuring platen to platen displacement directly, test machine compliance is eliminated. Compression tests generally require sensors with short travel precision that are in direct contact with the test sample, rather than relying on test machine, or crosshead movement encoder readings. For many applications, platen to platen measurements require three equally spaced displacement sensors, averaged together, to measure axial deflection accurately.

Compression Test Applications

A compression test is used to check the quality of different materials based on their properties such as compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, yield strength, etc. When selecting materials for a final product or prototype, you need to know if they will stand up to real-world use. Every material has a breaking point, so knowing how strong your materials are can alert you if you are using something that won’t hold up well under stress. When choosing composites, metals, rubber and other raw materials, a compresion test can help you select the strongest available option for the job.

Different types of materials and products require different types of fixtures. Thin film samples require different fixturing than a rubber gasket sample would.

Popular Testing Applications

ASTM C109 is a compression test determine the compressive strength of hydraulic ce...
ASTM C39 test for compressive concrete covers the determination of compressive str...
ASTM D3574 is a widely accepted test standard for testing soft polyurethane foam. ...
ASTM D575 test method A is a procedure for determining the compression-deflection ...
The ECT (Edge Crush Test) and BCT (Box Crush Test) are two completely separate tes...
ASTM E9 defines testing techniques for compression testing of metals. Using these ...
ASTM D1621 specifies the test method for determining the compressive properties of...
ASTM D695 is used to determine the compressive strength of rigid unreinforced and ...
The Edge Compression Test method or ECT describes procedures for determining the e...
ASTM D2412 is a standard test method for measuring the deflection of plastic pipe ...
ASTM C1424 determines the compressive strength including stress-strain behavior, u...
Fiberglass is a plastic matrix composite material that is constructed from a resin...
The compressive properties of polymeric materials vary widely based on chemical co...
ASTM D642 tests the compressive resistance of shipping containers including boxes ...
ASTM D6641, Combined Loading Compression (CLC) Test for Polymer Matrix Composite L...
The objective of compression molding, in a general sense, is to make specimens tha...
ASTM D3501 determines the compression properties of wood-based structural panels. ...
ISO 604 determines the compressive properties of unreinforced and reinforced rigid...
ASTM D1056 covers flexible cellular rubber products known as sponge rubber and exp...
ISO 844 provides specific testing procedures for determining the compressive stren...
ASTM C133 determines the cold crushing strength and the modulus of rupture (MOR) o...
ASTM D3574 Test C and ISO 3386 both measure the force deflection properties of fle...
This test method covers determination of the short-time compressibility and recove...
Gaskets are elastic materials used to interface between two parts, typically to pr...
ASTM C165 determines the compressive resistance of thermal insulations. This test ...
ISO 13503-2 has followed the work of the American Petroleum Institute (API), the o...
ASTM C364 determines the compressive properties of structural sandwich constructio...
ISO 12048 specifies a method for testing the resistance to compression of complete...
ASTM D4762 is the standard guide for testing fiber reinforced polymer matrix compo...
ASTM D395 determines the applications in which the rubber will be subjected to com...
API 56/58/60 standardized testing was originally established by the American Petro...
ASTM F38 provide a means of measuring the amount of creep relaxation of a gasket m...
ASTM C579 determines the compressive strength of chemical-resistant mortars, grou...
Configuring test equipment for dentistry or dental product testing is a three step...
ASTM F37 is a sealability test for gaskets under pressure. There are two testing m...
ISO 6721-1 Dynamic Testing of Plastic Materials ISO 6721-1 covers the dynamic test...
The ASTM D2659 standard determines the mechanical properties of blown thermoplasti...
Induced hydraulic fracturing or sand fracking is a recent technique used to releas...
There is an amazing variety of soft tissues in the human body and replacement tiss...
This method describes procedures for determining the edgewise compressive strength...
ASTM D3410 determines the compressive properties of polymer matrix composite mater...
ASTM and ISO have standard test methods for mechanical testing the four separate p...
Reinforced and unreinforced plastic material properties tests are important to det...
ASTM F2267 specifies the materials and methods for the axial compressive subsidenc...
ISO 3386-1 - Lower Density Materials ISO 3386-1 covers materials with a density up...
ASTM C578 compression test of mortar grout polymer concrete specification covers t...
Box Compression Testers (BCT) are wide width electromechanical test machines desig...
Spinal implants are designed to promote arthrodesis at a given spinal motion segme...
This method describes a procedure for determining the compressive resistance of co...
ASTM C469 determines the (1) chord modulus of elasticity (Young s) and ( 2) Poisso...
ASTM C365 is a test method for determining the flatwise compressive strength and m...
ASTM D575 method A helps determine rubber deflection in compression. ISO 7743 help...
ASTM E209 is the standard practice for compression tests of metallic materials at ...
ASTM F451 determines the self-curing resins used primarily for the fixation of int...
The ASTM C1181 standard is used to quantitatively and comparatively evaluate chemi...
Our test machines are often used in materials research. Recently researchers at a ...
Compression testing provides mechanical strength data and additional properties of...
ASTM F1566 tests analyze mattress components, innersprings and boxsprings and matt...
ASTM D6108 covers the determination of the mechanical properties of plastic lumber...
ISO 10059 specifies a method for the determination of the cold compressive strengt...
ASTM D6484 determines the open-hole compressive strength of multidirectional polym...
ASTM C 1358 determines the compressive strength including stress-strain behavior u...
ISO 1856 specifies three methods for determining the compression set of flexible c...
Fiber reinforced polymers and plastic composites are mechanically tested with a wi...
Injection, extrusion, and compression molding have become one of the most popular ...
The flat crush test (1) is a measure of the resistance of the flutes in corrugated...
ASTM D7293 covers requirements and test methods for the material, dimensions, and ...
ASTM C695 determines the compressive strength of carbon and graphite at room tempe...
Configuring equipment to compression test ceramics involves a four step process. S...
The knee is one of the most highly stressed joints in the human body, supporting a...
ISO 14126 outlines procedures for determining the compressive properties of fibre-...
ASTM F 1541 (F-1541) determines the characterization of the design and mechanical ...
Compression testing plastics involves a three step process. Step One The first ste...
Compressive Strength Testing of Dimension Stone may be performed according to the ...
This method describes a procedure for determining the edgewise compressive strengt...
ASTM D7137 covers compression residual strength properties of multidirectional pol...
Continued advancements in the design and manufacture of engineered composites has ...
Medical Luers are used in a wide variety of medical device and drug delivery appli...
ISO 3037 specifies an unwaxed edge method for the determination of the edgewise cr...
Dental products are tested mechanically to prove their performance in various appl...
ISO 815 specifies methods for the determination of the compression set characteris...
Soft tissue test equipment is specialized in several respects. Numerous factors su...
ISO 12192 specifies a method for the determination of the edgewise compressive str...
ASTM D5467 covers the in-plane compressive properties of polymer matrix composite ...
This test evaluates the ability of corrugating medium to contribute to the compres...
ISO 7214 specifies methods for testing flexible and semi-rigid cellular plastics m...
FEFCO No. 8 is used to determine the edgewise compressive strength of a short colu...
Continued advancements in the design and manufacture of engineered composites has ...
ASTM C170 covers the sampling, preparation of specimens, and determination of the ...
Configuring equipment to compression test metal samples takes four steps. Step One...
Electronics tests place a wide range of performance demands on test equipment for ...
The linked FDA Guidance Document published in 2004 applies to plate and rod-based ...
This method describes procedures for determining the edgewise compressive strength...
The ring crush test correlates with edgewise compression strength of paperboard (1...
ISO 9054 contains the basic test procedures for the determination of the physical ...
ISO 3384 specifies two methods for determining the decrease in counterforce exerte...
ISO 13820 specifies the essential characteristics and the principles of calibratio...
ASTM F 2079 (F-2079) quantifies the percentage by which the diameter of a stent de...
Compression testing applications in the electronic industry include actuation forc...
The ring crush test correlates with edgewise compression strength of paperboard(1)...

Rubber

ASTM D575 test method A is a procedure for determining the compression-deflection ...
ASTM D395 determines the applications in which the rubber will be subjected to com...
ASTM D575 method A helps determine rubber deflection in compression. ISO 7743 help...
ISO 815 specifies methods for the determination of the compression set characteris...
ISO 3384 specifies two methods for determining the decrease in counterforce exerte...
ISO 7743 helps test for compression stress-strain properties of vulcanized or ther...

Composites

ASTM D695 is used to determine the compressive strength of rigid unreinforced and ...
Fiberglass is a plastic matrix composite material that is constructed from a resin...
The compressive properties of polymeric materials vary widely based on chemical co...
ASTM D6641, Combined Loading Compression (CLC) Test for Polymer Matrix Composite L...
ASTM C364 determines the compressive properties of structural sandwich constructio...
ASTM D4762 is the standard guide for testing fiber reinforced polymer matrix compo...
ASTM D3410 determines the compressive properties of polymer matrix composite mater...
ASTM C365 is a test method for determining the flatwise compressive strength and m...
ASTM D6484 determines the open-hole compressive strength of multidirectional polym...
ASTM C 1358 determines the compressive strength including stress-strain behavior u...
Fiber reinforced polymers and plastic composites are mechanically tested with a wi...
ISO 14126 outlines procedures for determining the compressive properties of fibre-...
ASTM D7137 covers compression residual strength properties of multidirectional pol...
Continued advancements in the design and manufacture of engineered composites has ...
ASTM D5467 covers the in-plane compressive properties of polymer matrix composite ...
Continued advancements in the design and manufacture of engineered composites has ...
ISO 20504:2006 describes procedures for determination of the compressive behaviour...
Continued advancements in the design and manufacture of engineered composites has ...

Plastics

ASTM D695 is used to determine the compressive strength of rigid unreinforced and ...
ASTM D2412 is a standard test method for measuring the deflection of plastic pipe ...
Fiberglass is a plastic matrix composite material that is constructed from a resin...
The compressive properties of polymeric materials vary widely based on chemical co...
The objective of compression molding, in a general sense, is to make specimens tha...
ISO 604 determines the compressive properties of unreinforced and reinforced rigid...
ISO 6721-1 Dynamic Testing of Plastic Materials ISO 6721-1 covers the dynamic test...
The ASTM D2659 standard determines the mechanical properties of blown thermoplasti...
Reinforced and unreinforced plastic material properties tests are important to det...
The ASTM C1181 standard is used to quantitatively and comparatively evaluate chemi...
ASTM D6108 covers the determination of the mechanical properties of plastic lumber...
Injection, extrusion, and compression molding have become one of the most popular ...
ISO 14126 outlines procedures for determining the compressive properties of fibre-...
Compression testing plastics involves a three step process. Step One The first ste...
Continued advancements in the design and manufacture of engineered composites has ...
Plastic and plastic composites are of used in many applications today because of t...

Metals

ASTM E9 defines testing techniques for compression testing of metals. Using these ...
ASTM E209 is the standard practice for compression tests of metallic materials at ...
Configuring equipment to compression test metal samples takes four steps. Step One...

Foam

ASTM D3574 is a widely accepted test standard for testing soft polyurethane foam. ...
ASTM D1621 specifies the test method for determining the compressive properties of...
ASTM D1056 covers flexible cellular rubber products known as sponge rubber and exp...
ISO 844 provides specific testing procedures for determining the compressive stren...
ASTM D3574 Test C and ISO 3386 both measure the force deflection properties of fle...
ASTM C165 determines the compressive resistance of thermal insulations. This test ...
ISO 3386-1 - Lower Density Materials ISO 3386-1 covers materials with a density up...
ASTM C578 compression test of mortar grout polymer concrete specification covers t...
Compression testing provides mechanical strength data and additional properties of...
ISO 1856 specifies three methods for determining the compression set of flexible c...
ISO 7214 specifies methods for testing flexible and semi-rigid cellular plastics m...
ISO 9054 contains the basic test procedures for the determination of the physical ...
ISO 29764 specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the deformation o...

Ceramics

ASTM C1424 determines the compressive strength including stress-strain behavior, u...
Configuring equipment to compression test ceramics involves a four step process. S...

Concrete

ASTM C109 is a compression test determine the compressive strength of hydraulic ce...
ASTM C39 test for compressive concrete covers the determination of compressive str...
ASTM C579 determines the compressive strength of chemical-resistant mortars, grou...
ASTM C469 determines the (1) chord modulus of elasticity (Young s) and ( 2) Poisso...
Compressive strength testing of hydraulic cement and other mortars may be determin...

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