Biaxial Testing Machine: Development and Evaluation

Biaxial mechanical testing gained increased importance for characterization of materials that present anisotropic behavior and/or different responses when subjected to tensile and compression loadings. In this work, a new biaxial testing machine was developed. The various systems and components were designed, manufactured, assembled, and assessed. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed to validate the device, showing results consistent with those obtained on a universal testing machine. Finally, biaxial tensile tests were also performed on polypropylene cruciform specimens. The results revealed high precision levels, thus showing the potential of this new machine.