Test Solutions
Balloon Cloth Tensile Strength Test
Balloon Cloth Tensile Strength Test
Specification
Ultra Magic is the second largest hot air balloon manufacturer in the world. For obvious safety reasons, the material used most conform to strict standards applicable to the aeronautical industry.This requires the company to make controlled assessments of the material used in different areas of the balloon 'envelope'.
Ultra Magic wanted a test system to perform tensile strength tests on the balloon cloth. The main part of the envelope is manufactured from nylon, which is coated in a sealer, such as silicone, making it impermeable to air, whereas the mouth of the balloon is manufactured using heat resistant material.
Solution
Mecmesin supplied a MultiTest 2.5 test system, capable of measuring tensile forces up to 2500N, an Advanced Force Gauge (AFG) and a pair of large single-action vice grip (wave form jaws). Ultra Magic needed to perform the same test for the different fabrics and coatings used to manufacture the envelope.
The supplier tests samples that are 45mm in width and 120mm in length. Each sample is secured within the wave form jaws before performing the tensile test at a speed of 50mm/min. Depending upon the material, tensile forces are expected to be within the region of 700N - 1100N. For optimum result accuracy, wave form jaws are used as they are able to grip the samples securely, without pinching, and therefore weakening the material at these points. Ultra Magic also use the system to perform a number of other tests, including:
- Testing tensile strength of balloon cloth fabric subjected to an accelerated ageing process. This is produced from the radiation of a xenon lamp, and is undertaken to predict the affect of sunlight on the fabric over time.
- Performing a tear test on balloon cloth fabric, which is undertaken on a test sample, 50mm in width, at a speed of 50mm/min, where forces range from 50N to over 350N.
- Undertaking tensile tests on seams and fasteners to establish maximum strength.
System
- MultiTest 2.5
- AFG (Advanced Force Gauge)
- Pair of Large, Single-Action Vice Grips - Wave Form Jaws
Testimonial
'This test system is perfectly suited to our needs, giving us the flexibility we require to perform multiple tests with the certainty of obtaining reliable, accurate results. Undertaking these quality measurements in-house means we are also saving significant costs, as we no longer require the services of external test laboratories.'
Jordi Vives-Tallo, Engineer, Ultra Magic, Spain
