This European Standard specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the bending behavior of full size products (method A) and test specimens (method B) under the action of three-point loading. It is applicable to thermal insulating products used in building applications.
The test is designed to determine the bending strength of products and their deflection at a given load. The method can be used to determine the resistance of the product to bending stresses during transport and application.
In principle the test specimen is supported on two adjustable cylindrical support edges placed parallel to each other and in the same horizontal plane. The test specimen loading edge has the same shape and dimensions as the support edges. The loading edge (force applied) is located centrally between and parallel to the supporting edges. The maximum bending force, stress and deflection is recorded. For products which may be subject to localised crushing by the loading and support edges, steel load distribution plates are used.
- Method A - Specimen Size: (L) 1300mm (W) 300mm (T) 100mm
- Method B - Specimen Size: (L) 550mm (W) 150mm (T) 100mm&
We suggest using a tensile testing system of dual-column design together with a 3 point flexure loading fixture in accordance with the testing standard. The test specimen is placed symmetrically upon the support edges so that the direction of loading is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the test specimen. Run the test method to drive to a preload to eliminate any slack in the specimen and balance the displacement measuring device, then the test is started at a constant speed of the crosshead of 10mm/min until failure occurs. For this test, it is important to have a high-speed intelligent test data sampling rate of 100 Hz to the PC ensure the capture and record of the maximum Flexure strength.
We recommend using Bluehill test software package to input specimen parameters, set the desired speed control, automatically calculate the desired results and statistics, and finally to product a test report or send to a network database.
We suggest reviewing EN12089 to fully understand the test fixture and results requirements prior to performing any tests.