Mechanical tests are tests conducted on materials to determine their mechanical properties, such as strength, hardness, elasticity and toughness.

These tests evaluate how a material behaves under various types of stresses, such as tension, compression, bending, torsion and impact.

Mechanical testing is critical to ensure that materials used in construction, fabrication and other industries meet the safety and performance requirements of regulations.

Mechanical tests are essential for:

• Quality and safety: ensure that materials meet the required quality and safety standards.
• Design and engineering: provide critical data for the design of components and structures.
• Research and development: evaluate new materials and technologies to improve product performance.

These tests help prevent catastrophic failures and improve the efficiency and reliability of finished products.

The SMT Materials Testing Laboratory performs tensile testing, both at low and high temperature, through the use of specimens but also directly on manufactured goods, starting from thin drawn wire to large finished parts or fabrics for sportswear.
With the same equipment, it also performs bend and crush tests.
Three automated Charpy pendulums, from 500 to 750 J, enable impact testing in accordance with international, European and American standards.
The hardness sector is distinguished by 5 hardness testers, which can also realize hardness and microhardness with automated systems.
Thanks to the two Drop Weight Test (DWT) machines, also known as Pellini, the ductility of the tested material is evaluated by embrittling it by welding. The specimens are made by SMT-qualified personnel according to international standards.
The department is equipped with a battery of 12 machines suitable for viscous creep (Creep) testing, which can also meet orders requiring a large number of tests in a short time.

A wide range of materials can be tested with mechanical tests. Here are some of the main types of materials that can be subjected to such tests:

1. Metals: steel, aluminum, copper, titanium and various alloys.
2. Polymers: plastics, rubber, and polymer composites.
3. Ceramics: advanced ceramic materials, such as aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and zirconium-based ceramics.
4. Composites: composite materials reinforced with fiberglass, carbon or other reinforcements.
5. Alloys: specific metal alloys used in various industries.

These materials are tested to determine their mechanical properties such as strength, hardness, toughness and deformability.