Integrated Software & Hardware Package Allowing Accurate and Efficient Measurement of Fatigue Crack Growth
Direct Current Potential Drop (DCPD) measures the change in resistance of a specimen, which correlates directly with crack growth. It is an effective way to collect fatigue crack growth data in high-temperature tests and other challenging environments. DCPD is used to overcome the challenges that make contact extensometry and compliance calculations impractical for crack length measurement. Unfortunately, to get the best results, some DCPD solutions require excessive set-up time while others limit flexibility.
The MTS DCPD Solution features integrated software and hardware for test control, data analysis, and results reporting. It greatly simplifies DCPD test configuration using the powerful automation tools built into MTS TestSuite software. Integrated into MTS FlexTest 40 Controllers and MTS TestSuite Software, the MTS DCPD solution eliminates the challenges that can arise with non integrated components from multiple suppliers. This provides a convenient and comprehensive way to incorporate DCPD into your material testing programs.
This solution uses the reversing DCPD method. By monitoring load and potential (voltage) data from a loaded specimen and a reference specimen, it determines crack length by calculating ratios of potential on both. Applying a calibration equation to the ratios produces the crack length. The current is switched on and off (reversed) to correct for thermocouple effects.
