Compression Testing Using a CAM-Driven Electromagnetic Machine

Abstract

This paper presents new equipment for the compression testing of materials under high rates of loading. The equipment consists of an electromagnetic actuator, a fixed housing containing two flat compression platens, a translating cam and a follower. The electromagnetic actuator makes possible reaching high strain rates with a very precise control of the impact velocity and of the energy transmitted to the translating cam. The cam profile enables compression testing to be performed under the strain-rate vs. strain loading paths that are commonly found in manufacturing in order to meet the machine-tool and process combined specifications. The equipment was designed, fabricated and instrumented by the authors and, besides giving constructive details for those readers that may be interested in developing a low-cost equipment for compression testing at high rates of loading, the paper also puts emphasis on the flexibility and adequacy of its operative conditions for determining the mechanical behaviour of Aluminium AA1050-O under different testing conditions.