MATERIALS TESTING

In the field of materials science, analysing and understanding mechanical properties is crucial at every stage of the process, from research to production. Through these tests, it is possible to assess the strength, durability and robustness of materials under real-world conditions.

STEP Lab not only designs and manufactures static and dynamic materials testing systems, designed to measure the mechanical performance of metals, plastics, composites, rubbers and elastomers with the utmost precision and repeatability; it also has an in-house laboratory, where material tests are performed to support research, development and validation activities.

Materials Standards Tests DMA Test systems Laboratory

MATERIALS TESTING

STEP Lab testing systems are capable of performing mechanical and fatigue tests on a wide range of materials. From metals to composites, from rubbers to polymers, our systems allow us to accurately assess the mechanical and dynamic properties of any material, according to international standards (ASTM, ISO).

PLASTICS

Thermoplastics
Semi-finished products
Finished products
Sheets and films
Tubes

METALS

Platens
Sheets
Bars
Wires and cables
Tubes

COMPOSITES

Polymer matrix
Metal matrix
Unreinforced
Fibre-reinforced
Insulated

RUBBER AND ELASTOMERS

Natural elastomers
Synthetic elastomers
Vulcanised rubber
Thermoplastic rubber
Polyurethane

BUILDING MATERIALS

Concrete
Rock
Cement
Bricks and tiles

OTHER MATERIALS

Adesives
Wood
Glass
Textiles
Electronics

MATERIAL TESTING STANDARDS

When testing materials, it is essential to comply with the main international material testing standards, ensuring reliable and traceable results.
Below are the most common standards supported, divided by material.

Plastics

ASTM

ASTM D638 – Traction on plastics
ASTM D695 – Compression on rigid plastics
ASTM D5023 / D5024 / D5026 – Dynamic Mechanical Properties (DMA)
ASTM D5420 – Impact resistance of plastics
ASTM D7774 / D7791 – Flexural and uniaxial fatigue

ISO

ISO 527-2 / ISO 527-3 / ISO 527-4 – Tensile Properties of Plastics and Composites
ISO 178 – Bending tests on plastics
ISO 179-1 / ISO 179-2 – Charpy impact test on plastics
ISO 604 – Compression properties
ISO 6721-5 / ISO 6721-12 – Dynamic Mechanical Properties (DMA)

Metal

ASTM

ASTM A370 – Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
ASTM E8 – Tensile Testing of Metallic Materials
ASTM E21 – High temperature tensile testing
ASTM E290 – Bending test for ductility
ASTM E466 – Axial fatigue under controlled load

ISO

ISO 6892-1 – Tensile tests at room temperature
ISO 6892-2 – High temperature tensile testing
ISO 7438 – Bending tests
ISO 10113 – Sheet and strip – plastic deformation ratio
ISO 10275 – Sheets and strips – hardening exponent

Composites

ASTM

ASTM D3039 – Tensile Properties of Polymer Matrix Composites
ASTM D2344 – Short-radius strength of composite laminates
ASTM D3410 – Compressive Properties of Polymer Matrix Composites
ASTM D3518 – In-plane Shear Response of Composites
ASTM D7136 – Composite Impact Resistance
ASTM D7264 – Flexural Properties of Polymer Matrix Composites

ISO

ISO 527-4 – Tensile properties of plastic composites reinforced with isotropic and orthotropic fibres
ISO 527-5 – Tensile properties of unidirectional fibre-reinforced plastic composites
ISO 14125 – Flexural properties of fibre-reinforced plastic composites
ISO 14126 – In-plane compression properties of fibre-reinforced composites
ISO 14129 – Shear/deformation stress response in the plane of composites
ISO 14130 – Fibre-Reinforced Plastic Composite

Rubber and elastomers

ASTM D412 – Standard Test Methods for Vulcanised Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers – Tension
ASTM D624 – Tear resistance of vulcanised rubber and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)
ASTM D3574 – Flexible cellular materials: bonded and moulded urethane foams
ASTM D5992 – Standard Guide for Dynamic Testing of Vulcanised Rubber and Rubber-like Materials Using Vibratory Methods

Construction materials

ASTM

ASTM C364 – Edge compressive strength of construction components
ASTM C365 – Flatwise compression properties of cores.
ASTM C39 / C39M – Compression test on concrete cylinders.
ASTM C78 / C78M – Bending test on concrete beams.
ASTM C293 / C293M – Flexural strength of cementitious materials.

ISO

ISO 1920-4 – Determination of compressive strength of concrete.
ISO 1920-5 – Determination of flexural strength of concrete.
ISO 604 – Compressive properties of general building materials.
ISO 10406-1 – Steel reinforcing bars for reinforced concrete – Tensile tests.
ISO 14689 – Classification and determination of mechanical properties of rocks.

Other materials

ASTM

ASTM D790 – Bending tests on plastics and composites (also useful for laminated glass)
ASTM D1037 – Physical and mechanical properties of wood and wood-based panels.
ASTM D198 – Mechanical tests on solid wood.
ASTM D2256 – Tensile Strength of Textile Yarns.
ASTM D5034 – Tensile tests on fabrics (strip test).
ASTM D1002 – Shear strength of adhesives on metal joints.

ISO

ISO 527-1 / ISO 527-2 – Tensile tests on polymers (including plastic-reinforced glass).
ISO 3341 / ISO 3343 – Tests of glass bending and flexure.
ISO 3377 – Tensile strength of fabrics.
ISO 13061-2 – Determination of compressive strength of wood.
ISO 4587 – Shear adhesion testing of adhesive materials.

Full list of standards

TYPES OF MATERIALS TESTING

Static (and quasi-static) evidence

In these tests, the load is applied slowly and in a controlled manner. The objective is to determine strength, deformation and mechanical behavior of the specimens. The main types include: tension, compression, bending, and torsion.

Dynamic tests

Dynamic tests involve rapid or periodic loads that simulate real operating conditions, such as: impacts, high-speed pulls, falls, and puncture tests. These tests are critical for evaluating impact resistance, ductility, and the material’s ability to absorb energy.

Cyclic and fatigue testing

Materials subjected to repeated loading can develop progressive damage. Cyclic tests allow alternating or pulsating loads of different shapes (sine, triangular, etc.) to be simulated and analyze: fatigue strength, durability under controlled load cycles, and long-term behavior under repeated loading.

Destructive testing

Destructive testing aims to determine the strength limits of materials by bringing specimens to the point of failure. They are essential in industries such as automotive, aerospace and medical, where material fatigue can have a critical impact on safety.

Main types

Tensile and compressive testing
Bending test
Fatigue and creep tests
Fracture mechanics
Impact and drop tests

Non-destructive testing (NDT)

Non-destructive testing allows the quality of materials and components to be assessed without compromising their integrity. These tests are ideal for production checks and verification of component function.

Main types

Hardness testing
Static and dynamic friction testing
Rebound test
Functional verification of components

TEST SYSTEMS AND LABORATORY

From single test to complete solution

STEP Lab provides modular and customizable testing machines that combine precision, efficiency, and sustainability. All our solutions are 100% electric, ensuring low operating costs and high performance.

The main product lines include:

In addition, we have an in-house laboratory in our facility allows us to perform tests on materials and components, supporting customers and partners in mechanical characterization and product validation.
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