Patent ID: 6176142
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
In a materials testing machine of the type having a pair of clamps for gripping two ends of a test specimen, power means for applying loads to said test specimen through said clamps, and control means for controlling said power means, an improvement comprising coating the faces of each of said clamps with a material comprised of an aramid-epoxy composite, wherein the composite material is applied to the clamp faces by:a) mixing an epoxy resin material with an appropriate catalyst material;b) spreading the catalyzed epoxy resin material onto a sheet of release film;c) placing aramid material onto the top of the catalyzed epoxy resin material, thereby allowing the epoxy material to soak through said aramid material so that substantially all air voids are removed, and thereby forming an aramid-epoxy composite;d) placing said clamp faces down on top of the aramid-epoxy composite, said clamp faces having been first roughened to provide good adhesion;e) allowing the aramid-epoxy material to cure and adhere to the clamp faces;f) removing the coated clamps from the release film;g) removing the excess aramid-epoxy material from the edges of the clamp faces; andh) roughening the coated clamp faces to provide a matte finish, so that the contact friction between the test specimen and the clamp face surface is increased.