Test standards Alpine supports: ASTM D790, ASTM D7264, ISO 178 & custom methods
Flex testing measures a material’s load under an applied deformation by a three-point bend setup. A specimen is supported at two ends while force is applied at the center until it bends or breaks. The test provides key mechanical properties including flexural strength, flexural modulus, and flexural stress and strain at yield or failure.
This method is particularly useful for evaluating plastics and composite materials, offering insight into their stiffness and structural performance under bending forces. In applications where materials are expected to bear weight or flex without breaking, flexural properties are essential to qualifying performance and durability.
Alpine conducts flex testing using international standards or custom methods. Our team ensures precise loading rates and clear data reporting. Whether you’re comparing material batches or qualifying new polymer systems, we provide reliable results that support confident design decisions. Alpine also offers In-Situ Testing, our patent pending technology that allows for flex testing while samples are immersed in aging environments. Alpine is the only lab in the industry that offers this service.
Alpine Expanded Capabilities
Test conditions we support:
- In-Situ Testing options available
- Custom specimen preparation
- Instron capabilities up to 135,000 lbs.
- Aging in acids, bases, brines, hydrocarbons, and extreme pressure
- Cryogenic to 400°C aging capabilities
- Seven Instron machines to increase workflow efficiency and cost effectiveness
- Instron coolers and ovens for temperatures from to 300°C on the machine
Alpine offers flex testing to evaluate the bending and flexural properties of elastomers, plastics, and composites under relevant service conditions. We provide custom specimen preparation and can perform testing on Instron systems with capacities up to 135,000 lbs., using on-machine coolers and ovens for temperatures up to 300°C. Additional aging capabilities from cryogenic to 400°C allow for exposure in acids, bases, brines, hydrocarbons, and under extreme pressures prior to testing. Our seven Instron machines ensure workflow efficiency and cost effectiveness across customer programs. In-situ flex testing options are also available, enabling measurement of flexural performance while samples remain under exposure, providing accurate, representative data for product qualification and material development.
Testing Details
In a typical flex test, a rectangular specimen is supported across two mounting points and loaded at the center using a three-point bend fixture. The sample is deflected at a constant rate, and force and displacement are recorded throughout the test.
The test continues until the specimen breaks or reaches a defined deflection limit. For some materials, testing may be conducted after environmental aging, such as exposure to fluids, elevated temperatures, or pressure to evaluate changes in mechanical behavior. Standard test methods include ASTM D790 and ISO 178 for plastics, and ASTM D7264 for composites