Compression

 

On the contrary to tension, compression testing can be carried by subjecting the sample to compressive loads and record the reduction in height and the resulting flow stress of the material.  The test normally utilises cylindrical samples that can be tested at room or elevated temperatures. This become progressively important in order to determine the forging loads that are needed to build new components using the various forging processes. The change in microstructure of the material as a result of compression can be studied and thoroughly investigated. 

The machines can test such materials between 10-4 to around 10-1 strain rates. It is well known that the increase in strain rate results in a higher flow stress that is required to compress the material at any given temperature.