Small Punch Testing of Metallic Materials

Small Punch Testing of Metallic Materials

It involves deforming a small disk-shaped specimen with a diameter of typically 8-10 mm and a thickness of 0.5-1.0 mm by pressing a small punch with a diameter of 0.5-1.0 mm into the specimen using a specialized machine.

The test provides data on a range of mechanical properties, including the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and ductility of the material. It is particularly useful for assessing the mechanical properties of materials that are difficult to obtain large specimens of, such as those found in nuclear power plants, aerospace components, and pipelines.

One of the main advantages of SPT is its ability to provide information on the mechanical properties of materials without requiring large amounts of material or extensive sample preparation. The test can also be performed at elevated temperatures and in corrosive environments, making it suitable for assessing the mechanical properties of materials under a range of operating conditions.

SPT is a relatively quick and inexpensive test method, and it has been shown to provide results that are comparable to those obtained through more conventional mechanical testing methods, such as tensile testing. However, it should be noted that the data obtained from SPT should be used as a supplementary tool to conventional mechanical testing methods, rather than as a substitute for them.

Video 01:Small Punch Test Method for in-service material characterisation