New version of laserXtens extends high-precision measurement to small specimens

Non-contact extensometers are used either when the specimen reacts critically to knife-edges or if contact extensometers might be damaged at specimen break. Zwick’s laserXtens uses the unique structures of the specimen surface to generate virtual gage marks.

Laser beams directed at these gage marks are reflected in various directions corresponding to the surface structure, generating a specific pattern which is captured by a video camera. During deformation of the specimen certain measuring points are tracked, recording the change in the surface structure. A minimum resolution of  0.15 µm means that laserXtens also provides high accuracy measurement for small extensions.

New developments to this long-proven system include a significantly higher data acquisition rate of 100 Hz and test speeds up to 500 mm/min. Small-diameter round specimens down to 1 mm can now be tested; polished/shiny specimens and those subject to surface change during the test are also covered with immediate effect. laserXtens is now also available in a special compact version specially designed for high-precision tensile and compression tests on very small specimens. Micro-specimens with an initial gage length of only 1.5 mm and width of only 1.0 mm can be measured with accuracy class 0.5.  Also possible are measurements on micro-components, including two-dimensional extensions.

Other innovations for both versions include the auto-contrast function for improved handling, easy automatic adjustment and a low-noise measurement-signal. Their technology is ready for strain-rate control (to ISO 6892-1 (2009)) and both are suitable for high-temperature applications.

More information about extensometers.