Types of Tests

Stiffness

What is a stiffness test?

The ASM Handbook®, Volume 8, Mechanical Testing and Evaluation states: “bending strength tests offer a means of determining the modulus of elasticity in bending and the bending strength of flat metallic materials in the form of strip, sheet or plate.” There are three commonly used types of bending tests, namely the three point bend test, the four point bend test, and the cantilever beam bend test.

We have discussed the attributes of the three and four point bend test under Flexural properties. The cantilever beam bend test measures the angle of deflection and corresponding bending moment of a metallic strip or sheet subjected to continuous loading in bending. A bending stress-strain curve is developed from the data and the modulus of elasticity determined at stresses below the proportional limit.

The test specimen is loaded as a simple cantilever beam in which one end is supported and the free end is loaded. The test procedure involves measurements of the applied bending moment and the corresponding angular deflection of a cantilever beam in continuous loading.