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Yes, it is rocket science, and so much more. In this Q&A, MTS experts discuss cryogens and materials testing in cryogenic environments.
Q. Why are material scientists and researchers talking about cryogenics?
A. Increased interest in space travel and new energy land transportation is creating demand for materials that can withstand cryogenic conditions. Fuel systems for rockets and space vehicles as well as the superconducting magnets for maglev trains all require cryogenic cooling provided by liquified gases. These cryogens are created and kept in a liquid state with extremely low temperatures: -150°C to -273°C (-238°F to -460°F), or below 120 Kelvin.
Q. What are some examples of cryogens and their uses?
A. Liquid nitrogen, liquid helium, liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are commonly used in cryogenic applications. These cryogens are vital to industries as diverse as agriculture, medicine, transportation and space exploration. They are used to keep large quantities of food cool, to preserve packaged produce, to cool magnets in MRI machines, to provide regenerative cooling in rocket engines and even to operate particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider by keeping its superconducting magnets at the proper temperature.
Q. Besides cooling, are there other uses for cryogenics?
A. Yes, another use for cryogenics is compact and efficient storage and transportation of gases. For example, hydrogen gas is used as rocket fuel and to power fuel cells in some electric vehicles (FCEVs) but transporting large quantities of hydrogen gas is cumbersome and costly, requiring pressurization to deliver it as a compressed gas. Transforming hydrogen gas to liquid hydrogen is another way to reduce its volume for easier storage and transport.
Q. Why are more people interested in testing materials at cryogenic temperatures?
A. Materials perform differently at very low temperatures and in some cases can be embrittled further by exposure to hydrogen. Testing is essential to make sure that the materials coming in to contact with cryogens during storage, transport and end-use applications can be used reliably.
Q. What kinds of solutions does MTS have for testing in cryogenic environments?
A. MTS provides solutions for evaluating material behavior in cryogenic conditions at atmospheric pressure. With an MTS Landmark test system, you can measure material response to tension, compression or tension-compression fatigue in a liquid nitrogen or liquid helium cryogenic environment.
Cryogenic Testing Solutions
MTS can supply a turnkey system complete with appropriate fixturing and a cryostat that works with liquid helium or liquid nitrogen. Our standard offering provides tension and tension-tension fatigue test fixturing for round threaded or button-end specimens. Other fixturing options include compression test fixtures and tension-compression fatigue test fixtures for round threaded or flat specimen.
Contact us today to learn more about how industry-leading Landmark test systems can meet your cryogenic testing needs.
MTS Landmark 100 kN or 250 kN Load Frame Robust dynamic test system that can be configured with extended columns and a crosshead-mounted actuator to accommodate taller fixtures such as a cryostat, and a T-slot baseplate to securely mount the cryostat.
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Model 632 & 634 Extensometers MTS offers several extensometers capable of operating within a cryostat at cryogenic temperatures. A good all-around choice for cryogenic applications would be the Model 634.11F-21 with a 25 mm gage length and +20%/-10% travel. |
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MTS TestSuite Software Intuitive graphical interface makes software operation easy. |
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![Criterion](/-/media/materials/products/criterion/images/82549_Criterion_43_668x424.jpg?as=1&h=424&w=668&la=pt-BR&hash=A66759E15F7BF2229DBFE0593EFA8DF3)
Static Force Calibration
Verifies test system ability to indicate static and quasi-static forces within the requirements of ASTM E4 and ISO 7500-1 standards.
![Landmark](/-/media/materials/products/landmark/images/81775_Landmark_mc.jpg?as=1&h=412&w=648&la=pt-BR&hash=F6FA17D0C54C73DCFE49A0B3CB5C2E83)
Dynamic Force Verification
Some level of under- and/or over-testing exists when running cyclic tests. MTS can help minimize these effects by performing Dynamic Force Verification in compliance with NASM 1312B and ASTM E467.
![Landmark](/-/media/materials/products/landmark/images/66482Landmark37010CS.jpg?as=1&h=1024&w=1024&la=pt-BR&hash=DD1E1A33CA4D355DA370D5CD8F35B32D)
Crosshead Speed Verification
Originally designed to verify crosshead speed for electromechanical test systems in compliance with ASTM E2658, this traceable process can also be used for actuator speed verification on servohydraulic test systems.
![alinhamento](/-/media/service/products/images/31499_alignment-fixture_668x424.jpg?as=1&h=424&w=668&la=pt-BR&hash=6EB8C046713A402240EF59F459CA4998)
Alignment Verification
System misalignment can lead to false early specimen failure. Using our standard 709 alignment software and 12 gage alignment devices, our engineers can perform an Alignment Verification in compliance with ASTM E1012 and NASM 1312B.
Yes, it is rocket science, and so much more. In this Q&A, MTS experts discuss cryogens and materials testing in cryogenic environments.
Q. Why are material scientists and researchers talking about cryogenics?
A. Increased interest in space travel and new energy land transportation is creating demand for materials that can withstand cryogenic conditions. Fuel systems for rockets and space vehicles as well as the superconducting magnets for maglev trains all require cryogenic cooling provided by liquified gases. These cryogens are created and kept in a liquid state with extremely low temperatures: -150°C to -273°C (-238°F to -460°F), or below 120 Kelvin.
Q. What are some examples of cryogens and their uses?
A. Liquid nitrogen, liquid helium, liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are commonly used in cryogenic applications. These cryogens are vital to industries as diverse as agriculture, medicine, transportation and space exploration. They are used to keep large quantities of food cool, to preserve packaged produce, to cool magnets in MRI machines, to provide regenerative cooling in rocket engines and even to operate particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider by keeping its superconducting magnets at the proper temperature.
Q. Besides cooling, are there other uses for cryogenics?
A. Yes, another use for cryogenics is compact and efficient storage and transportation of gases. For example, hydrogen gas is used as rocket fuel and to power fuel cells in some electric vehicles (FCEVs) but transporting large quantities of hydrogen gas is cumbersome and costly, requiring pressurization to deliver it as a compressed gas. Transforming hydrogen gas to liquid hydrogen is another way to reduce its volume for easier storage and transport.
Q. Why are more people interested in testing materials at cryogenic temperatures?
A. Materials perform differently at very low temperatures and in some cases can be embrittled further by exposure to hydrogen. Testing is essential to make sure that the materials coming in to contact with cryogens during storage, transport and end-use applications can be used reliably.
Q. What kinds of solutions does MTS have for testing in cryogenic environments?
A. MTS provides solutions for evaluating material behavior in cryogenic conditions at atmospheric pressure. With an MTS Landmark test system, you can measure material response to tension, compression or tension-compression fatigue in a liquid nitrogen or liquid helium cryogenic environment.
Cryogenic Testing Solutions
MTS can supply a turnkey system complete with appropriate fixturing and a cryostat that works with liquid helium or liquid nitrogen. Our standard offering provides tension and tension-tension fatigue test fixturing for round threaded or button-end specimens. Other fixturing options include compression test fixtures and tension-compression fatigue test fixtures for round threaded or flat specimen.
Contact us today to learn more about how industry-leading Landmark test systems can meet your cryogenic testing needs.
MTS Landmark 100 kN or 250 kN Load Frame Robust dynamic test system that can be configured with extended columns and a crosshead-mounted actuator to accommodate taller fixtures such as a cryostat, and a T-slot baseplate to securely mount the cryostat.
|
|
Model 632 & 634 Extensometers MTS offers several extensometers capable of operating within a cryostat at cryogenic temperatures. A good all-around choice for cryogenic applications would be the Model 634.11F-21 with a 25 mm gage length and +20%/-10% travel. |
|
MTS TestSuite Software Intuitive graphical interface makes software operation easy. |
![]() |
![](/-/media/materials/accessories/extensometers/images/68192_axial_extensometer_668x424.jpg?as=1&h=424&w=668&la=pt-BR&hash=846792124700BE89A1DFDD2AAEC6948B)
Extensometer Calibration
Calibration in compliance with ASTM E83, Standard Practice for Verification and Classification of Extensometer System or ISO 9513, Metallic materials – Calibration of extensometer systems used in uniaxial testing.
![gage mts 632 clip-on](/-/media/materials/accessories/extensometers/images/632-clip-on-gage-1.jpg?as=1&h=424&w=668&la=pt-BR&hash=4740D96CEF4531C465AE9531FA050ED2)
COD Gage Calibration
Includes calibration of crack opening displacement (COD) gages in compliance with ASTM E399 (Linear-Elastic Plane-Strain Fracture Toughness of Metallic Materials), and ASTM E561 (Standard Test Method for KR Curve Determination).
![](/-/media/materials/accessories/furnaces/images/69984_651_chamber_668x424.jpg?as=1&h=424&w=668&la=pt-BR&hash=CC21999857B792D14F06CCF71E83ED75)
Temperature Calibration
MTS can calibrate temperature of environmental chambers and thermocouples for accurate high-temperature testing.
![célula de carga mts 30342](/-/media/materials/accessories/load-cells/images/30342_LoadCell.jpg?as=1&h=424&w=668&la=pt-BR&hash=9B3BC1DA7AC88FF65C80CAC2928CA9EA)
Other Components
MTS also offers calibration services for transducers, load cells, controllers, and many other components and systems. Please contact your service sales representative for more information.
![calibração](/-/media/service/industry/tile-images/6699_BruceOhnstad_668x424.jpg?as=1&h=424&w=668&la=pt-BR&hash=2BB399663E5D5A3F8A60429022B6F0C8)
Standards Referenced in This Article
ASTM E4 |
ASTM E561 |
ISO 9513 |
ASTM E83 |
ASTM E1012 |
ISO 7500-1 |
ASTM E399 |
ASTM E2309 |
ISO/IEC 17025 |
ASTM E467 |
ASTM E2658 |
NASM 1312B |