The TA Instruments ElectroForce Apex 1 Mechanical Testing Instrument enables scientists, engineers, and technicians to efficiently and reliably evaluate mechanical properties through monotonic testing, fatigue analysis, and other material characterization methods - all with minimal training required.
Mechanical testing is a core practice in leading laboratories and manufacturing environments, supporting everything from material selection and design decisions to component evaluation and product performance validation. The ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument is designed to deliver accurate, dependable results - while keeping operation straightforward and efficient.
Image Credit: TA Instruments.
Take Testing to New Heights
The ElectroForce Apex 1 Mechanical Testing Instrument allows users across a variety of industries to measure a broad spectrum of mechanical properties with ease and efficiency. Featuring an extended stroke length and an intuitive design, it enables precise tensile and fatigue testing of high-performance and lightweight polymers and composites.
- Dynamic performance: Completes fatigue testing for complex materials up to 30 % faster, resulting in faster product development and validation.
- Streamlined workflow: Automated controls and fewer process steps reduce operator errors and ensure precision, enabling safe and confident testing.
- Versatility: Increased motor stroke range (100 mm) expands testing of more materials across diverse industries, offering greater insights from one instrument.
Achieve Precision with Simplified Testing
The ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument features:
- Enhanced test setup and safety: Integrated motor brake, crosshead lock sensing, and setup mode reduce training and ensure sample and system protection.
- Exceptional accuracy: The high-precision displacement sensor exceeds ASTM E2309 Class A standards with 1 nanometer resolution.
- Dependable testing: Automated control system tuning and data acquisition enable confident material characterization while minimizing the need to manage instrument operations.
- Flexible testing: Available in three configurations (axial tabletop, axial floor standing, and axial torsional floor standing) and offers a broad range of accessories for real-world testing.
- User-friendly features: SmartSwap™ Technology simplifies sensor and configuration, while the System Status Indicator provides quick visual feedback on instrument status.
Image Credit: TA Instruments.
Ensure Product Performance and Durability
Material strength and durability testing plays a growing role in speeding up product development for demanding applications - from aerospace to construction materials. Leading labs and manufacturers rely on both monotonic and fatigue testing to guide material selection and design decisions, followed by component and product-level evaluations.
Using the ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument for monotonic and fatigue testing early in the development process can help reduce costs by uncovering potential material or design weaknesses before reaching validation or post-launch stages.
Source: TA Instruments
| Mechanical Properties |
Material Characteristic Measured |
| Elastic (Young’s) modulus |
Stiffness |
| Yield strength |
Maximum stress before permanently deforming |
| Ultimate strength |
Maximum stress supported by material |
| Elongation at break |
Length change at breaking point |
| Fatigue life |
Durability under repeated loading |
| Creep compliance |
Deformation over time at constant load |
| Stress relaxation |
Decrease in stress over time |
| Fracture toughness |
Amount of stress to fracture |
| Fatigue crack growth |
Amount cracks grow under repeated loading |
Broaden the Scope of Your Material Analysis
The ElectroForce Apex 1’s linear motor technology supports versatile mechanical testing across a broad range of forces, frequencies, and displacements - from below 1 Hz to over 100 Hz, and from micron-level to 100 mm.
Engineered specifically for mechanical testing, its advanced design enables precise experiment execution, delivering faster results and helping to accelerate development timelines. The friction-free motor, paired with a high-accuracy displacement sensor, ensures precise motion control - capturing even subtle material behaviors without distortion.
This system gives researchers the tools to conduct reliable, efficient testing with maximum precision and confidence.
Image Credit: TA Instruments
Expedite Testing with Reduced Steps
Powered by next-generation TuneIQ technology, the ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument simplifies setup by reducing - or even eliminating - the need to manually select and adjust control modes during testing.
Just install your sample and begin testing - no complicated control mode configurations needed.
- Constant sample monitoring protects your sample and the instrument.
- Sample break detection stops the motor immediately when a sample fracture is detected, preventing damage to the sample surface.
- Simplified test set-up process minimizes operator training time and errors, enhancing operator confidence.
Evaluate Samples in Real-Life Conditions
Accurate mechanical testing often requires simulating real-world conditions to effectively evaluate material properties. With a range of available accessories, the ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument allows users to test sample behavior under a variety of conditions and end-use environments.
Environmental
Ovens and baths simulate a wide temperature range, including conditions to simulate the human body for biomaterials and medical device research.
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Clamps
Grips for tension - or combined tension and compression - are commonly used to replicate sample conditions, along with compression platens and bend fixtures.
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Sensors
Optional sensors enable measurement of sample behavior across a range of conditions, including low-force applications, submersible testing, and direct strain measurement.
Image Credit: TA Instruments.
Accelerate Operator Training and Proficiency
The ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument is designed with intuitive operation and a user-friendly interface, helping to minimize training requirements. Its streamlined features support faster test setup and execution, allowing operators to build confidence quickly while reducing the risk of errors.
- The automated data acquisition setup ensures reliable and accurate data recording.
- Guided test-specific workflows streamline inputs and reduce setup complexity.
- Integrated software and data analysis automatically display the most relevant data, enabling insightful conclusions.
- Next-generation TuneIQ automates control modes and reduces the tuning process.
- Test parameter traceability enables tracking from setup to the final TRIOS software data file.
Image Credit: TA Instruments.