Testing the Limits: A Look at Hybond's Advanced Tensile Testing - Adhesives, Additives & Coatings

There’s been a fantastic upgrade to an essential piece of testing equipment in Hybond’s laboratory:
Our newly installed Tensometer allows us to carry out tensile testing with even greater precision and control.

Following a recent upgrade, the Hybond team got a first-hand look at our Tensometer in action. From capturing the exact moment a bond gives way to analysing the results in detail, this advanced machine allows us to provide manufacturers with highly accurate, data-driven results as we work alongside them to achieve outstanding outcomes in adhesive bonding.

THE TENSOMETER UPGRADE

Hybond’s new Tensometer is a major step forward in our laboratory capabilities. The machine measures tension via a load cell rated at 2,500 newtons, with the capacity to go up to 5,000 newtons – that’s enough force to lift a car! – giving our team the flexibility to test a wide range of materials. It can operate independently through its control panel, or be fully controlled via Nexygen software; a research-grade system tailored to our specifications. The universal jaw clamp design accommodates a variety of substrates, making it a highly versatile tool for tensile, peel, and shear testing. This combination of precision and advanced software ensures that Hybond can analyse adhesive performance reliably, providing insights that help achieve the highest standards of outcomes.

TENSILE TESTING IN ACTION: FOUR SUBSTRATE DEMOS

DEMO 1: FLOORING BUILD-UP SAMPLE

Demo 1 involved a flooring and insulation build-up sample and served as an introduction to the Tensometer’s functionality. We observed how the sample is loaded into the machine and controlled via the software, which plots accurate, real-time data on the graph. What we’re seeing in the charted graph here is a reasonably consistent force value across the test, indicative of a consistent bond achieved for these materials.

DEMO 2: BONDED PU FOAM

Demo 2 featured a bonded PU foam substrate, used in protective body armour applications:

This bond really has to perform under pressure!

The foam was bonded using a polychloroprene adhesive, and the test gave us a clear view of how the Tensometer handles peel and shear testing. We captured video showing the adhesive giving way; and while failure isn’t ideal in practice, seeing it in action is invaluable for understanding bond behaviour and identifying areas for improvement. Take a look at this demo in action in the attached video.

DEMO 3 – HIGH-STRENGTH FLEXIBLE MARINE FABRIC

Demo 3 tested a high-strength, flexible marine fabric. The material is confidential, but the plotted graph tells a story. The bonded sample achieved a maximum load of 317 N, with some minor delamination of the material visible at the peak — a fantastic result demonstrating that the bond is stronger than the substrate. This test highlights the precision of the Tensometer in capturing detailed, real-time data and gives insight into how flexible materials behave under tensile stress.

DEMO 4 – COMPOSITE PANEL

Demo 4 involved a composite panel with a semi-rigid substrate bonded to a fully rigid substrate using a 1K foaming PU adhesive.

We captured a fantastic video showing the material breaking rather than the adhesive failing, with the piece ejecting at the end of the test – a fun, dynamic demonstration of the Tensometer in action.

The accompanying graph shows the typical pattern of a natural material breaking: although the fracture is quite uniform, the graph is slightly jagged due to the natural splintering of the wooden substrate. This demo illustrates both the precision of the Tensometer and how different substrate types can affect bond performance results.

DISCOVER THE POWER OF HYBOND’S LABORATORY SERVICES

Hybond’s laboratory is a fully equipped resource available to manufacturers across industries. Whether you’re a current Hybond customer or exploring solutions independently, our lab can help you test materials, troubleshoot bonding challenges, and optimise your processes.

With our advanced Tensometer and other cutting-edge equipment, we provide detailed, precise insights that ensure manufacturers not only meet but exceed industry standards and OEM requirements.

By leveraging our expertise and testing capabilities, you can reduce costs, improve product reliability, and solve complex bonding challenges efficiently.

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Testing the Limits: A Look at Hybond’s Advanced Tensile Testing

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