Bayerteq FNCT Tester – Full Notch Creep Test Machine for Polyethylene
- Advanced Full Notch Creep Test (FNCT) system for environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) and slow crack growth (SCG)
- Full testing compliance with ISO 16770 and ISO 18488
- Configured with 6 completely independent test stations operating with zero mutual cross-interference
- Tensile static loading range from 20 N to 5000 N per station with ±1% nominal accuracy
- Independent motorized stroke of 200 mm with displacement resolution of 0.027 mm
- Thermostatically controlled liquid/surfactant bath up to 95 °C (±0.5 °C) with timing range up to 10,000 hours
- Automated specimen loading, electronic rupture detection, automatic self-diagnosis, and comprehensive PC software
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The fnct tester (Full Notch Creep Test Machine) manufactured by Bayerteq is a premier mechanical evaluation system engineered to determine the resistance to slow crack growth (SCG) and environmental stress cracking (ESCR) of polyethylene (PE) resins and pipe compounds. Conforming strictly with ISO 16770, this automated 6-station creep testing instrument provides raw material producers, compounders, and quality control certification laboratories with definitive data on brittle failure mechanics under accelerated thermal and chemical environments.
Polyethylene piping grades such as PE80, PE100, and PE100-RC are subjected to decades of sustained internal pressure during service. To verify long-term resistance against brittle crack propagation, the Bayerteq fnct tester subjects square-section specimen bars—featuring precision coplanar notches in each face—to a constant static tensile stress within a heated surfactant solution (such as Arkopal N100 or Igepal). The machine logs the exact elapsed hours until catastrophic brittle failure occurs, providing rigorous classification of pipe-grade materials.
FNCT Tester Architecture & Independent Station Capabilities
Engineered for high-throughput testing with world-class stability, the Bayerteq FNCT apparatus incorporates advanced electro-mechanical controls:
- 6 Fully Independent Testing Stations: Each of the 6 stations operates with dedicated force actuators, load cells, and stroke tracking. Stations can be initiated, paused, or loaded independently without inducing vibrations or load shocks on adjacent specimens.
- Wide Force Range with High Accuracy: Delivers programmable tensile loads from 20 N to 5000 N per station with nominal load accuracy within ±1%, allowing testing across diverse resin densities and notch dimensions.
- Automated Mechanical Loading: Eliminates manual weight stacking via motorized automated load application that ramps up smoothly to the specified target force, ensuring strict adherence to standardized initial loading rates.
- Sub-Millimeter Stroke & Rupture Tracking: Features a generous 200 mm stroke length with 0.027 mm displacement resolution, paired with a 1-second chronometer logging creep curves up to 10,000 continuous hours.
- Precision Heated Surfactant Chamber: Uniform liquid bath operates from ambient up to 95 °C (±0.5 °C), built with corrosion-resistant stainless steel chambers and optional auxiliary cooling coils.
Supported by intelligent self-diagnosis routines and dedicated PC analytical software, this fnct tester records real-time elongation-time curves, stores historical creep profiles, and exports ISO-compliant quality reports automatically.
Bayerteq FNCT Tester – Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Applicable Standards | ISO 16770:2019, ISO 18488, EN 12814-3, ASTM F1473 (related slow crack growth standards) |
| Number of Testing Stations | 6 independent stations (individual motorized control per station) |
| Tensile Force Range | 20 N to 5000 N, independently selectable on each station |
| Force Accuracy | ±1% of nominal setpoint value |
| Testing Stroke | 200 mm stroke length |
| Displacement Resolution | 0.027 mm |
| Testing Time Range | Up to 10,000 hours continuous logging (Time resolution: 1 second) |
| Thermal Liquid Bath Range | Ambient room temperature to 95 °C (±0.5 °C control accuracy) |
| Surfactant Medium Compatibility | Aqueous solutions of Arkopal N100, Igepal CO-630, Dehyton, and water/surfactant mixtures |
| Specimen Geometry | Square bar (typically 6 × 6 mm or 10 × 10 mm cross-section) with coplanar center notches |
| Loading Mechanism | Automated motorized loading system with zero mechanical shock |
| Chamber Dimensions (Apparatus) | 1620 mm (L) × 850 mm (W) × 1750 mm (H) |
| Net Weight | Approx. 200 kg |
| Safety & Diagnostics | Automatic fracture detection, automatic timer freeze, overheat cut-out, and self-diagnosis |
| Software & Connectivity | Dedicated PC software, USB/Ethernet communication, real-time creep curve export |
Key Engineering Advantages of Bayerteq FNCT Tester
Zero-Interference Independent Stations
Each of the 6 stations functions completely autonomously; starting, stopping, or specimen fracture on one station causes zero mechanical perturbation on the others.
Automated Force Loading
Eliminates dead-weight stacking hazards. High-precision electric drives apply and maintain continuous static tension between 20 N and 5000 N.
10,000-Hour Rupture Logging
Integrated high-reliability chronometers record failure timestamps down to 1 second, automatically preserving data through power outages.
Chemical-Resistant Stainless Chamber
Heavy-gauge stainless steel construction designed specifically to withstand aggressive surfactant detergents at continuous 80–95 °C operation.
High Displacement Resolution
Stroke sensors track elongation with 0.027 mm resolution over 200 mm, generating high-fidelity creep curves for viscoelastic modeling.
Self-Diagnosis & Protective Cutoffs
Equipped with comprehensive hardware protection against over-travel, over-temperature, and communication faults with automated acoustic alerts.
System Configuration & Accessories
| Component / Module | Standard Inclusions & Ordering Details |
|---|---|
| FNCT 6-Station Mainframe | Heavy-duty cabinet frame with 6 motorized loading units, 6 precision load cells, and displacement sensors. |
| Heated Surfactant Bath | Stainless steel liquid bath with immersion heaters, circulating pump, and Pt100 temperature controller. |
| Specimen Gripping Fixtures | 6 sets of high-precision stainless steel tensile clamps for square notched specimen bars. |
| Cooling System Option | Optional internal cooling coil / auxiliary chiller for precise temperature stabilization near ambient. |
| PC Software & Communication | Full PC software package for multi-station control, real-time creep curve plotting, and automated data archiving. |
Testing Standards & Industry Applications
| Standard / Test Scope | Testing Methodology & Failure Mechanics |
|---|---|
| ISO 16770:2019 | Plastics — Determination of tensile creep and failure of polyethylene materials in a temperature-controlled liquid environment (Full Notch Creep Test - FNCT). |
| Slow Crack Growth (SCG) Evaluation | Determines resistance against stress cracking caused by localized stress concentrators and environmental active wetting agents in high-density polyethylene. |
| PE100 & PE100-RC Certification | Mandatory qualification standard for high-performance crack-resistant polyethylene (PE-RC) pipes used in trenchless and sandbed-free installation methods. |
| ISO 18488 (Related PENT / Strain Hardening) | Comparative analysis of polyolefin creep endurance and failure time correlation across alternative standardized crack growth methodologies. |
| Target Materials | Bimodal and multimodal HDPE, PE80, PE100, PE100-RC pipe compounds, geomembranes, and blow-molding containers. |