Airbus and Plastometrex collaborate on standardisation of PIP mechanical test
September 25, 2024
Plastometrex, a developer of mechanical testing solutions based in Cambridge, UK, has announced a collaboration with Airbus that is intended to streamline mechanical testing processes and enhance material insights. The partnership aims to support the standardisation of PIP (Profilometry-based Indentation Plastometry), a mechanical testing technique developed and commercialised by Plastometrex.
Traditional tensile testing requires test pieces that conform to precise dimensions, which adds significant expense to testing workflows, can limit the speed of a project, and can prohibit testing in various circumstances, including where samples are small or irregularly shaped.
By comparison, PIP sample preparation is said to be simpler. The test operation is more straightforward, and the entire process can be completed in just a few minutes. Also, it can test specimens directly and at a fine scale, which unlocks the testing of small or irregularly shaped pieces and enables the extraction of more data, delivering deeper insights into material behaviour. For example, 160 PIP tests can be fitted onto a standard ASTM E8 tensile coupon, unlocking information about material homogeneity that would be obscured by the single stress-strain curve obtained when tensile testing this part.
Through PIP, Airbus will accelerate testing workflows and enable the generation of richer data, supporting innovation and advancing the highest levels of safety in aerospace engineering.
Dr Jimmy Campbell, CTO at Plastometrex, shared, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Airbus on standardising PIP. This partnership highlights the transformative potential of our technology, enabling faster, more versatile, and data-rich testing. Together, we’re setting a new standard in mechanical testing that aligns with the rigorous demands of the aerospace industry.”
This collaboration between Airbus and Plastometrex is said to mark a significant advancement in mechanical testing. It offers a streamlined, cost-effective, and data-rich complement to traditional methods. As both companies work together, this new approach looks to improve testing efficiency and deliver more detailed insights into material behaviour, benefiting aerospace projects worldwide.
