Fatigue testing is carried out with a cyclic load, until breakage occurs. The purpose is to determine the fatigue life and strength of a material or component. We perform both standardized and specialized fatigue testing on materials and components, for both machinery and products for construction and infrastrucrure.

Fatigue test results are an important basis for assessing life expectancy and strength of materials, components or structures under cyclic load, or to ensure that the necessary safety criteria are met.

The question may vary with application. In low cycle fatigue (LCF), high loads are of interest, around the yields stress limit of the material, while in high cycle fatigue (HCF) lower loads with a large number of cycles are looked at, up to the so-called fatigue limit. In this area, so-called SN curves can be plotted to examine the relationship between load amplitude and service life.  The test can be carried out in different ways, e.g. load-controlled (controlled force) or elongation-displacement controlled (controlled elongation/displacement).

In our laboratory in Borås, we can perform tests on everything from small test bars to complete components with a size over 10 meters, and with loads up to 20 MN (2000 metric tons). To determine fatigue limits (high cycle numbers) of materials that are not frequency dependent, our resonance machines allow load frequencies around 100 Hz. We can also use variable amplitude (spectrum fatigue), or simulate custom load spectra specific to the application.

Specialized test setups with multi-axial loads can be built up on test floors with attachment points, where load are applied with hydraulic cylinders.

Test assignments are often complemented with various add-on services, such as:

• Testing at elevated temperatures,
• Prediction of life expectancy, load analysis, reliability and uncertainty assessment,
• Spectrum fatigue (variable-amplitude loads),
• Fracture mechanical analysis,
• Tensile test with advanced measuring techniques, such as acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC) methods,
• Development of material models for FEM analysis,
• Validation and verification (V&V) for quality assurance of simulation models.

Fatigue testing is carried out in our accredited laboratory in Borås. We are accredited for methods ASTM E466, ASTM E606, ECE R55.

The work include both accredited and non-accredited testing methods. The scope of accreditation is available upon request – please feel free to contact us for more information.

Fatigue test results may be in the form of Wöhler diagrams (S-N curves) showing load amplitude against number of cycles, determination of a fatigue limit or verification of service life. When an applicable standard exists, results may be delivered accordingly.

Fatigue testing takes time, as a number of tests must be cyclically loaded over a long period of time. The delivery time is mainly affected by the number of tests, the number of cycles required for each test and the frequency that can be used in the test.

Test specimens can either be provided by the customer, or manufactured in our workshop from customer material samples. Components are normally provided by the customer.

ASTM E466

ASTM E606

ECE R55

SS-ISO 1099

SS 112370

SS-EN ISO 14801

We measure thermal conductivity (i.e. heat conduction) using the Transient Plane Source (TPS) method according to ISO 22997-2 for which we are an accredited laboratory. The TPS method can be used to measure the thermal conductivity, diffusivity  and the specific heat capacity on solids, liquids, gels and powder in temperatures between -50 °C and 600 °C.

We can also measure thermal conductivity using Transient Line Source (TLS) which is a fast and simple method with a limited temperature range between 0 °C and 100 °C.

Determination of thermal conductivity (λ) och diffusivity (α) and volumetric specific heat capacity (ρc_p).

TPS

RISE is accredited for measurement of thermal conductivity according to ISO-22007-2, “Determination of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity - Part 2: Transient plane heat source (hot disc) method”. The method is specified for polymeric materials, but it is possible to measure on most solids and highly viscous materials as well as powders.

TLS

Transient Line Source method (TLS) according to ASTM D5334-14 is used for determination of thermal conductivity, which is simpler and faster than TPS when measuring. The temperature range for this measurement is between 0 °C and 100 °C.

After the measurement has been performed, a report is delivered that describes the tests, conditions, the procedures and results.

The TPS measurements takes up to 1 week from the time the samples have arrived at RISE. Completed report is delivered within 3 weeks of the measurements being performed, a draft of the report can be delivered earlier.

The TLS measurements can often be made the day after the sample arrives at RISE. Completed report is delivered within 2 weeks of the measurements being performed.

The samples must be prepared before taking any measurements. The samples must be manufactured or processed so that they meet the requirements that the sensors place on the sample geometry. We can also process the samples on RISE. We always condition the samples for 24 hours before the measurements are performed, unless otherwise requested.

ISO 22007-2

This method describes the testing of flame spread properties with a small defined flame. The test is performed on flexible materials such as textiles, coated textiles and leather.

The method is primarily used for materials for protective clothing.

The purpose of this method is to evaluate the fire properties of materials.

Materials that are included in protective clothing and work wear that come into contact with fire / flames must not ignite and burn. The method intends to evaluate the flame spread properties of the tested material. Thus, unsuitable materials can be identified.

Ignition is carried out for 10 seconds with a small gas flame against the surface or bottom edge of the material.

The flame spread properties of the material are recorded, such as burning time, glowing time, burning or molten debris, hole formation and if flames reach the edges of the test specimen.

Testing is often performed both before and after washing.

Several product standards used for CE labelling refers to this method i.e. SS-EN ISO 14116.

One report in Swedish or English with obtained results.

Normal delivery time is 5-10 working days. A more accurate delivery time is stated in the order confirmation which is sent after received order and test material.

SS-EN ISO 15025

SS-EN ISO 14116 (6.1)

Bresle kit and Breslepatches are available to purchase from RISE or from our retailers around the World.

Surface contaminants, such as salt, may cause major problems and increase maintenance costs for vessels, industrial buildings and steel structures in general.

Coating failure such as blistering and corrosion may be the result of a too high level of salt prior to painting. The Bresle method is often used to measure the level of surface salts.

Sampling and measurements
For sampling, Breslepatch is used according to a method described in the international standard ISO 8502-6. The sampled solution can be analysed in various ways and a quick way to do this on-site is by conductivity described in ISO 8502-9

According to agreement.

ISO 8502-6

Building acoustics loudspeakers are used as sound source at determination of sound insulation and reverberation time in buildings.

Verification of building acoustics loudspeakers is aiming to confirm that they fulfills the directivity requirements given in the most common test standards. 

Calibration and verification ensures that the test equipment is compliant with given requirements, which is neccesary for establishing credibility for the test result.

Building acoustics loudspeakers are verified by testing if their directivity is complying with the requirements in the standards ISO 16283-1 and ISO 3382. The loudspeaker can be excited either by a noise generator and power amplifier associated with the loudspeaker or supplied by RISE.

The results are reported in a digital report in Swedish or English which states if the loudspeaker is complying with the actual ISO standards.

When becoming a client you will also get access to our customer website for calibration, where you may also place orders. 

Customer website for calibration

ISO 16283-1

ISO 3382

A ventilation system consists of many different components, all of which through their design can contribute to good indoor air quality and thermal comfort being achieved in an energy-efficient way

RISE offers accredited testing of ventilation products where the purpose may be to verify the products, product development or as a basis for certification. RISE can also carry out market surveillance of ventilation products such as fans and kitchen rage hoods, which are subject to product-specific requirements according to ecodesign regulations.

Through its resources and expertise, RISE is able to offer a range of services in the field of ventilation. Within the testbed Ventilation and indoor environment there is also equipment for testing air filters and air cleaners. In addition to testing ventilation products, research and knowledge transfer are also carried out in the field of ventilation. RISE can also carry out advanced analysis and troubleshooting of the function of existing ventilation systems.

Some of our services in the area of ventilation product testing:

• Testing of duct systems, details and components
• Testing of supply air devices and exhaust air devices
• Testing of cooker hoods and stove fans
• Testing of outdoor air valves and overhead air devices
• Testing of dampers and valves
• Testing of fans

Tests are carried out at RISE's laboratories in Borås within the Ventilation and indoor environment testbed. Here we have the opportunity to evaluate aerodynamic properties in the form of pressure drop as a function of flow. For fans flow capacity and electrical efficiency are evaluated.  We are accredited by SWEDAC to carry out tests according to all the ventilation standards listed here beside. 

RISE also has an acoustics laboratory where we can offer accredited tests of sound generation or sound attenuation of ventilation products. Measurements of pressure drop as a function of flow can then be coordinated and carried out in the acoustics laboratory.

After testing, the customer normally receives a test report in Swedish and/or English. Depending on the purpose of the test, measurement data files, summaries or preliminary results can be obtained.

EN 13141-1
EN 13141-2
EN 13141-3
EN 13141-4
EN ISO 5801
IEC 61591
EN 13053
EN 1751
EN 1507
EN 15727

Accredited classification of aerodrome lighting and signs in accordance with ICAO annex 14. 

The International Civil Aviation Organization regulates the design and function of aerodrome equipment through the 14th annex to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Fullfiling the requirements in the annex confirms that the equipment is safe and can be marketed without complaint. 

RISE is accredited to perform testing of lighting and signs in accordance with an internal method which is based on the requirements in the 14th annex to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. 

Testing involves photometric measurements of light distribution, light spectra, luminance and chromaticity coordinates etc. 

The testing is performed in the laboratory for photometry and radiometry in Borås, Sweden. 

The results are presented in a digital report in english which indicates that the testing is accredited.

ICAO Annex 14 vol 1. 

Tests on electric and optical fibre cables under fire conditions – Part 1-2: Test for vertical flame propagation for a single insulated wire or cable – Procedure for 1 kW pre-mixed flame.

Fire test according to EN 60332-1-2 evaluates a cable's fire properties in terms of flame spread. The main area of application is to create a basis for classification in fire classes B1ca, B2ca, Cca, Dca and Eca according to the European system for Euro classes.

In the EU, construction products must be CE marked according to the Construction Products Regulation (CPR).
Cables covered by the product standard EN 50575 are affected by CPR, which is why CE marking is a requirement for the cable to be sold within the EU.
The basis for the CE marking is fire classification according to EN 13501-6. This includes fire testing according to method EN 60332-1-2. The method forms the basis for the fire classes B1_ca, B2_ca, C_ca, D_ca and E_ca .

In addition to the benefits of CE marking, the method also provides important information about the cable's fire properties and is therefore often used in product development contexts and process optimization.

The specimen shall be straightened and secured in two horizontal supports with an appropriate size of copper wire in a vertical position. A burner shall be positioned so that the inner blue cone of the flame hits the surface of the specimen at a distance of (475 ± 5) mm from the lower edge of the upper horizontal support, while the burner is at an angle of 45 ° ± 2 ° to the vertical axis of the specimen. Flame application time depends on cable diameter.

• Power cables - insulated conductors and cables for use in e.g. electricity supply.
• Control and communication cables - wires, symmetrical cables and coaxial cables with metal conductors for use in eg. telecommunications, data transmission, radio frequency, video communication and signal and control equipment.
• Optical fiber cables - for us in e.g. in telecommunications, data transmission, radio frequency, video communication and signal and control Equipment.

The fire test results are reported in an English test report.

RISE holds both accreditation and notification regarding this test method why the test report is valid as a part of the CE marking documentation.

It is interesting and instructive to watch fire testing and therefore we welcome our clients to visit us at the test occasions.

The test sample shall be a piece of single insulated conductor or cable, 600 ± 25 mm long.

Up to three test samples is used to complete the test.

EN 50575 - Product standard
EN 13501-6 - Fire Classification
EN 50576 - Extended application

EN 60332-2-2
EN 50265-2-2
IEC 60695-11-5
IEC 60695-11-10
IEC 60332-2
IEC 60695-2-2

The national Laboratory for electrical quantities offer calibration of inductance standards and various types of instruments, such as bridges, LCR-meters and inductive voltage dividers.

RISE's calibration at the National Laboratory for electrical quantities is available to customers who require the best possible accuracy in their calibration or have requirements which involves development of new calibration methods. Our customers are found among industry, research institutes, and calibration companies. The national reference standards at the National Laboratory have the highest level of accuracy in Sweden. The traceability to the realisation of the unit is always ensured.

Calibration at a National Laboratory meets all the typical requirements for traceability and accreditation commonly found in industry and society at large.

The calibration resources for inductance are in the range 10 pH - 100 H. The most commonly used method for calibration of inductance standards in the range 1 µH - 10 H is substitution measurements when the calibrated object is compared to a standard with known value and with the same nominal value. Such measurements are performed with an LCR meter. Calibration can be performed at frequencies up to 10 kHz. The measurement uncertainty is at best 100 µH / H at 1 kHz.

Calibration can also be carried out with an inductance measuring bridge for better measurement uncertainty. The most common measurement frequency is 1 kHz, but calibration can, in some cases, be performed at other frequencies, up to 10 kHz. The measurement uncertainty is at best 40 µH / H at 1 kHz.

Inductance bridges and LCR meters are calibrated by measuring against primary and / or secondary inductance standards. Calibration can be performed at frequencies up to 10 kHz (or in some cases higher).

Calibration of inductive voltage dividers can be performed in the range 50 Hz - 10 kHz. The measurement uncertainty is at best 1.2 · 10^-7 for in phase ratio and 3.0 · 10^-7 for quadrature error at 1 kHz.

Other types of measurements can also be performed, for example, measurements of temperature coefficients.

The measurement uncertainty given for a calibration depends, in addition to the calibration equipment’s performance, also on the calibration object’s performance (stability, temperature coefficient, voltage dependence and so on). In most cases, a preliminary estimate of the measurement uncertainty can be given from experience before the calibration.

Delivery upon agreement with customer. The results of the calibration are reported in a calibration certificate.

When becoming a client you will also get access to our customer website for calibration, where you may also place orders. 

Customer website for calibration