Characteristics testing device

Abstract

To provide a compact and low-cost characteristic testing device that can evaluate mechanical characteristics of a member such as low strain-rate bending characteristics and durability of the member such as creep characteristics, in a cryogenic hydrogen environment.SOLUTION: In a container 3 that is partitioned by a plate-like test piece 2 into a first interaction space 5 and a second interaction space 7 and stores the plate-like test piece 2, the pressure of first fluid supplied to the first interaction space 5 and the pressure of second fluid supplied to the second interaction space 7 are made different and a bending load is applied to the plate-like test piece 2, and a displacement meter is installed in at least one of the first interaction space 5 and the second interaction space 7 to measure the bending deformation amount 38 of the plate-like test piece 2. Consequently, a characteristic testing device is achieved which can evaluate, easily with a compact structure, mechanical characteristics of the plate-like test piece 2 such as low strain-rate bending characteristics and durability of the plate-like test piece such as creep characteristics, in various environments such as hydrogen within a temperature range from low temperature to high temperature including very low temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a characteristic testing device capable of evaluating the mechanical properties of materials, such as slow strain rate bending properties, and the durability of materials, such as creep properties, in a desired temperature range from low to high temperatures, including cryogenic temperatures, in a desired fluid environment, such as a hydrogen environment. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a material testing machine that adjusts the temperature of a test space holding a test specimen by supplying temperature-controlled conditioned air to the test space. In this material testing machine, a crosshead is moved up and down by a motor or hydraulic drive to apply a tensile force to the test specimen, while adjusting the temperature of the test space holding the test specimen.

[0003] Furthermore, the following Patent Document 2 discloses a mechanical property testing device that performs slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) testing in a desired low temperature range including room temperature to cryogenic temperatures under a high pressure environment. The mechanical property testing device of Patent Document 2 stores the test piece and its surroundings in a test vessel that has a coolant flow path and can control the temperature by a coolant, enabling slow strain rate tensile testing of the test piece in a low temperature environment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent application No. 2020-159645 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2020-134186 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional material testing machine of Patent Document 1, when a load is applied to a test piece for evaluating mechanical properties, a crosshead is moved by a motor drive or hydraulic drive to apply a tensile force to the test piece, and conditioned air is supplied to adjust the temperature of the test space holding the test piece. In a material property testing machine of this configuration, the heat capacity of the conditioned air is limited, and the insulation of the test space is not sufficient, so there is a limit to setting the temperature range of the test piece to a low temperature. Furthermore, it is impossible to control the fluid environment such as gas and the pressure environment around the test piece in the first place.

[0006] In addition, in the conventional mechanical property testing device of Patent Document 2, the tensile force from the actuator installed at the top of the device is transmitted to the test piece at the bottom of the device by a pro rod installed vertically. In the mechanical property testing device of this configuration, the test piece located at the bottom of the device and its surroundings are stored in a test vessel equipped with a refrigerant flow path and capable of temperature control by a refrigerant, and it can be used as a slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) test device for test pieces in a cryogenic environment. It was also possible to supply hydrogen gas into the test vessel and pressurize it to a desired pressure during the hydrogen gas supply process. However, in such a mechanical property testing device, the entire device is very large-scale, and even a tensile test requires many steps to be performed.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main object is to provide a characteristic testing device that has a compact configuration and can easily perform mechanical characteristic tests such as Slow Strain Rate Bending (SSRB) tests and durability tests such as creep characteristic tests in various fluid environments, such as hydrogen gas, over a range of low to high temperature and low to high pressure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the characteristic testing device of the present invention is a characteristic testing device that evaluates mechanical properties such as longitudinal elastic modulus and elongation or durability such as creep properties of test pieces made of metal materials or resin materials in a desired temperature range from below freezing to high temperatures, and in various fluid atmospheres such as hydrogen gas in a desired pressure range from low pressure to high pressure, and is characterized by comprising a container that stores the test pieces and is partitioned into a first working space and a second working space, each of which has a certain volume, by the test pieces, a fluid supply means that supplies a fluid to at least one of the first working space and the second working space formed between the container and the stored test pieces, a pressure adjustment means that adjusts the pressure of the fluid to apply a bending load to the test pieces, and a displacement meter that measures the bending deformation amount of the test pieces due to the bending load in at least one of the first working space and the second working space.

[0009] In addition, the characteristic testing device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the characteristic testing device described in claim 1, it is equipped with a second fluid supply means for supplying a second fluid different from the first fluid in the first operational space to the second operational space, and a concentration analysis means for analyzing the concentration of the first fluid contained in the second fluid that cross-leaks into the second operational space due to damage to the test piece and the change in concentration over time.

[0010] Furthermore, the characteristic testing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that, in the characteristic testing apparatus described in claims 1 and 2, it is equipped with a thermostatic chamber in which the container can be housed and maintained at a desired temperature range from low temperatures below freezing to high temperatures.

[0011] Furthermore, the characteristic testing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the characteristic testing apparatus described in claims 1 and 2, it comprises an insulated tank having an internal space capable of accommodating the container and having thermal insulation properties, and a heat transfer medium supply means for supplying a heat transfer medium of a desired temperature range from a low temperature below freezing to a high temperature to the internal space of the insulated tank. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The characteristic testing device according to the present invention has a compact configuration and has the effect of easily performing mechanical property tests such as slow strain rate plate bending (SSRB) tests and material property tests such as durability tests for creep properties, by applying a bending load to a flat test piece by creating a pressure difference between the first and second action spaces in a desired temperature range from below freezing to high temperature and in various fluid atmospheres such as hydrogen gas in a desired pressure range from low pressure to high pressure.

[0013] In addition, the characteristic testing device of the present invention has the effect of enabling the mechanical properties of the flat test piece, such as the longitudinal elastic modulus and elongation, to be evaluated from the diameter or equivalent diameter of the pressure-receiving surface of the flat test piece in the first and second action spaces, the pressure difference between the first and second action spaces, and the bending displacement of the flat test piece read by a displacement meter provided in the first or second action space.

[0014] In addition, the characteristic testing device according to the present invention has the effect of enabling evaluation of durability such as creep characteristics of the flat test piece from the diameter or equivalent diameter of the pressure-receiving surface of the flat test piece in the first and second working spaces, the pressure difference between the first and second working spaces, the bending displacement of the flat test piece read by a displacement meter provided in the first or second working space, and the change over time in damage to the flat test piece read from cross-leakage of the first fluid in the first working space to the second fluid in the second working space detected by a concentration analysis means.

[0015] In addition, according to the characteristic testing device of the present invention, a container in which a flat test piece is set is placed in a thermostatic chamber and the temperature of the thermostatic chamber is controlled as desired, thereby making it possible to evaluate the mechanical properties, such as the modulus of elasticity and elongation, and the durability, such as creep properties, of the flat test piece in a desired temperature range from low temperatures below the freezing point to high temperatures.

[0016] In addition, according to the characteristic testing device of the present invention, by supplying a heat medium by a heat medium supplying means to the internal space of an insulated tank having an internal space capable of accommodating a container in which a flat test piece is set and having thermal insulation properties, it is possible to evaluate the mechanical properties such as the longitudinal elastic modulus and elongation of the flat test piece and the durability such as creep properties in a desired temperature range from low temperatures below freezing to high temperatures.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the characteristic testing device of the present invention, the pressure of the first fluid in the first working space is pressure-adjusted by the first fluid pressure adjustment means, and at the same time, the pressure of the second fluid in the second working space is pressure-adjusted by the second fluid pressure adjustment means, thereby maintaining the pressures of the first working space and the second working space at high pressures including ultra-high pressures, creating a pressure difference between the first fluid in the first working space and the second fluid in the second working space, and applying a bending load to a flat test piece in a high-pressure environment, thereby achieving the effect of easily performing mechanical property tests such as a slow strain rate plate bending (SSRB) test and material property tests such as durability tests for creep properties. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a characteristic test device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a conceptual structural diagram of a container equipped with a displacement meter, showing a first embodiment of a characteristic test device of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the Young's modulus and temperature obtained from a slow strain rate bending test of a disk-shaped test piece made of a resin material, which was carried out using a prototype of a first embodiment of the characteristic testing device of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a photograph showing the appearance of a disk-shaped test piece made of a resin material after a low-temperature range low-strain-rate bending test was carried out using a first embodiment of a characteristic test device according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of a characteristic test device according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of a characteristic test device according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth embodiment of a characteristic test device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0020] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a first embodiment of the characteristic test device of the present invention. The characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment includes a container 3 in which a flat test piece 2 is stored. The container 3 includes a first action space 5 formed by the flat test piece 2 and a container upper part 4 having a generally inverted concave shape in vertical section, and a second action space 7 formed by a container lower part 6 having a generally concave shape in vertical section and the back surface of the flat test piece 2, which is located opposite the first action space 5 and separated from the first action space 5 across the flat test piece 2. The container 3, which defines the first action space 5 and the second action space 7 inside, is configured such that the container upper part 4 and the container lower part 6 are openable and closable. The container 3 includes a packing 8 made of metal or resin, and when the container upper part 4 and the container lower part 6 are closed, the lower end of the container upper part 4 and the upper end of the container lower part 6 are overlapped via the packing 8. This allows the container 3 to be sealed, and the sealed first action space 5 and second action space 7 can be formed inside the container 3.

[0021] The container 3 in the first embodiment is made of metal containing at least one of iron, nickel, chromium, and aluminum. The upper container portion 4 is cylindrical, disc-shaped, or rectangular with a bottom that opens downward, and the lower container portion 6 is cylindrical, disc-shaped, or rectangular with a bottom that opens upward.

[0022] In addition, the characteristic test apparatus 1 of this first embodiment is equipped with at least one fluid supply system, including a first fluid supply system 11 consisting of a first fluid gas cylinder 9 as a first fluid supply means for supplying a first fluid to the first working space 5 to create a test environment, and a first compressor 10 as a first pressurizing means for pressurizing the fluid supplied to the first working space 5, and a second fluid supply system 14 consisting of a second fluid gas cylinder 12 as a second fluid supply means for supplying a second fluid to the second working space 7, and a second compressor 13 as a second pressurizing means for pressurizing the fluid supplied to the second working space 7.

[0023] The first fluid supply system 11 is connected to the first working space 5 of the upper container 4. As a result, gas from the first fluid gas cylinder 9 is supplied to the first working space 5 of the upper container 4. In addition, the second fluid supply system 14 is connected to the second working space 7 of the lower container 6. As a result, gas from the second fluid gas cylinder 12 is supplied to the second working space 7 of the lower container 6. The fluid pressurizing means 10, 13 may be configured to supply gas from the gas cylinders 9, 12 via a pressure reducing valve.

[0024] The first compressor 10 and the second compressor 13 compress gas from the first fluid gas cylinder 9 and the second fluid gas cylinder 12, respectively. When the first fluid supply system 11 is provided, a system first fluid pressure gauge 15 for detecting the pressure of the fluid on the output side of the first compressor or the first pressure reducing valve 10 is provided in the first fluid supply system 11. When the second fluid supply system 14 is provided, a system second fluid pressure gauge 16 for detecting the pressure on the output side of the second compressor or the second pressure reducing valve 13 is provided in the second fluid supply system 14.

[0025] The characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment includes at least one fluid discharge system, that is, a first fluid discharge system 17 that discharges the fluid from the first working space 5 to the outside of the container 3, and a first pressure regulating valve discharge system 18 that discharges the fluid from the first working space 5 to the outside of the container 3. Each of these fluid discharge systems holds a predetermined amount of fluid within the device.

[0026] The characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment also includes at least one fluid discharge system, that is, a second fluid discharge system 19 that discharges the fluid from the second working space 7 to the outside of the container 3, and a second pressure regulating valve discharge system 20 that discharges the fluid from the second working space 7 to the outside of the container 3. Each of these fluid discharge systems holds a predetermined amount of fluid within the device.

[0027] In the characteristic testing device 1 of this first embodiment, the first fluid supply system 11 is provided with a system first fluid pressure gauge 15 or a container first fluid pressure gauge 21 for detecting the pressure in the first working space 5, and is equipped with a first pressure regulating valve 23 as a first fluid pressure regulating means for regulating the pressure of the fluid in the first working space 5 based on the pressure value of the system first fluid pressure gauge 15 or the container first fluid pressure gauge 21, and a first actuator 24 as a pressure control means for controlling the fluid pressure.

[0028] In addition, in the characteristic test device 1 of this first embodiment, the second fluid supply system 14 is provided with a system second fluid pressure gauge 16 or a container second fluid pressure gauge 22 that detects the pressure in the second working space 7, and is equipped with a second pressure regulating valve 26 as second fluid pressure regulating means that regulates the pressure of the fluid in the second working space 7 based on the pressure value of the system second fluid pressure gauge 16 or the container second fluid pressure gauge 22, and a first actuator 27 as pressure control means that controls that fluid pressure.

[0029] The first fluid pressure adjusting means 23 is provided in the first fluid discharge system 11 and adjusts the pressure of the fluid supplied to the first working space 5. On the other hand, the second fluid pressure adjusting means 26 is provided in the second fluid discharge system 14 and adjusts the pressure of the fluid supplied to the second working space 7. In this first embodiment, the first fluid pressure adjusting means 23 is composed of a pneumatic gas pressure adjusting valve capable of adjusting the opening degree of the valve according to the pressure value of the system first fluid pressure gauge 15 or the container first fluid pressure gauge 21. Moreover, the second fluid pressure adjusting means 26 is composed of a pneumatic gas pressure adjusting valve capable of adjusting the opening degree of the valve according to the pressure value of the system second fluid pressure gauge 16 or the container second fluid pressure gauge 22.

[0030] The opening degree of the first pressure regulating valve 23 is adjusted via a first actuator 24 as a drive unit under the control of a control means described later. Similarly, the opening degree of the second pressure regulating valve 26 is adjusted via a second actuator 27.

[0031] The first actuator 24 and the second actuator 27 are both pneumatic, with the first actuator 24 driving the first pressure control valve 23 and the second actuator 27 driving the second pressure control valve 26. The actuators 24, 27 can be configured with a motor (electric motor), an electromagnet (solenoid), a piezoelectric element (piezo stack) or the like other than air pressure, but in this first embodiment, both are pneumatic. The first actuator 24 and the second actuator 27 maintain the internal pressure of the first action space 5 and the second action space 7 at a desired pressure, regardless of the flat test piece 2.

[0032] The openings of the first actuator 24 and the second actuator 27 are adjusted by a first pressure regulator 25 and a second pressure regulator 28, respectively. Signals of the openings of the first actuator 24 and the second actuator 27 are sent to a central processing unit (CPU) 29 via the first pressure regulator 25 and the second pressure regulator 28. Signals of the pressure values ​​of the pressure gauges 15, 16, 21, 22 are also sent to the central processing unit (CPU) 29. The central processing unit (CPU) 29 includes an operation unit 30 that receives operational inputs from the test operator, a pressure display unit 31 that displays the inputs, and a storage means (data logger, RAM, and ROM) 32.

[0033] The characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment is provided with a displacement meter 33 in the container 3 for measuring the amount of bending deformation of the flat test piece 2 in at least one of the first working space 5 and the second working space 7. The displacement meter 33 is fixed to the container 3, and when bending deformation occurs in the flat test piece 2 due to the pressure difference between the first working space 5 and the second working space 7, the amount of bending deformation can be measured as the distance between the surface of the flat test piece 2 and the displacement meter 33.

[0034] The displacement meter 33 may be of a contact type or a non-contact type. Non-contact type displacement meters include those that use a measurement mechanism such as a laser type, an eddy current type, a magnetostrictive type, a capacitance type, an ultrasonic type, or an optical fiber type, and the displacement meter 33 of the characteristic test device 1 may use any measurement mechanism.

[0035] The output of the displacement meter 33 installed inside the vessel 3 may be transmitted to a displacement transducer 35 arranged outside the vessel 3 via an instrumentation cable 34 and converted into a voltage or current. Furthermore, the signal of the displacement transducer 35 may be transmitted to a displacement display unit 36.

[0036] A seal structure 37 is provided at the penetration portion of the instrumentation cable from the displacement meter 33 installed inside the container 3 to the displacement transducer 35 arranged outside the container 3. The seal structure 37 prevents the first fluid and the second fluid in the container 3 from leaking outside the container 3. The seal structure 37 may be a hermetic seal.

[0037] Next, a test method using the characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment will be described. First, the flat test piece 2 is placed on the upper end of the lower container part 6, and the lower end of the upper container part 4 is overlapped and sealed via a packing 8. This prevents leakage of fluid from the overlapping part between the upper end of the lower container part 6 and the lower end of the upper container part 4.

[0038] After the flat test piece 2 is stored, a first fluid is supplied from a first fluid gas cylinder 9 to a first working space 5 of the container 3 via a first fluid supply system 11. A second fluid is supplied from a second fluid gas cylinder 12 to a second working space 7 of the container 3 via a second fluid supply system 14. The fluids supplied to the first working space 5 and the second working space 7 are compressed by a first compressor 10 and a second compressor 13, respectively. At this time, the compressors 10 and 13 are controlled so as to maintain the desired pressures. When the pressures of the gas cylinders 9 and 12 are high, pressure reducing valves can be used instead of the compressors 10 and 13.

[0039] During testing, the flat test piece 2 is sandwiched between the upper container part 4 and the lower container part 6, and is fixed in a state in which the first working space 5 and the second working space 7 are isolated from each other. The gas pressure of the first working space 5 is applied to the upper surface of the flat test piece 2, and the pressure of the second working space 7 is applied to the lower surface of the flat test piece 2. When there is a difference in pressure between the first working space 5 and the second working space 7, a bending load is applied to the flat test piece 2.

[0040] Then, using a central processing unit 29, while receiving pressure value signals from the pressure gauges 15, 16, signals are sent to the first pressure regulator 25 and the second pressure regulator 28, and the opening degree of the first pressure regulation valve 23 is adjusted by the first actuator 24, and the opening degree of the second pressure regulation valve 26 is adjusted by the second actuator 27, thereby adjusting the pressure in the first working space 5 and the second working space 7 in the container 3 to the desired pressure.

[0041] When the characteristic test device 1 is equipped with both the first pressure control valve 23, the first actuator 24, the first pressure regulator 25, and the second pressure control valve 26, the second actuator 27, and the second pressure regulator 28, a pressure difference is provided between the first and second working spaces 5 and 7 while maintaining the pressures in both the first and second working spaces 5 and 7 in a desired pressure range from low to high, and a bending load is applied to the flat test piece 2 in a desired fluid atmosphere such as hydrogen gas in a desired pressure range from low to high, whereby mechanical property tests such as a slow strain rate plate bending (SSRB) test and material property tests such as durability tests for creep properties can be easily performed on the flat test piece 2. In this case, since the actuators 24 and 27 are driven by air pressure or the like, the characteristic test device 1 can be made compact even when the characteristic test device 1 is used for mechanical property tests and durability tests in a cryogenic hydrogen environment.

[0042] That is, the characteristic test device 1 is capable of applying a bending load to the flat test piece 2 by the pressure difference between the first working space 5 and the second working space 7 that form the atmosphere, rather than applying a load to the flat test piece 2 by a hydraulic pump or cylinder. This configuration makes it possible to eliminate the sliding part between the rod that conventionally applied a load to the test piece by piston motion and the stationary hydrogen environment container. This makes it possible to reduce gas leakage such as hydrogen to a negligible level, ensuring high safety.

[0043] Furthermore, mechanisms for applying a load to the test piece 2, such as hydraulic pumps and cylinders, are no longer necessary, making it possible to create a very compact testing machine.

[0044] When the characteristic test device 1 is equipped with a first pressure control valve 23 and a first actuator 24, but is not equipped with a second pressure control valve 26 and a second actuator 27, the internal pressure of the first working space 5 can be maintained based on the pressure value detected by the system first fluid pressure gauge 15, a pressure difference can be created between the first working space 5 and the second working space 7, and a bending load can be applied to the flat test piece 2 to perform a flat bending test.

[0045] When the characteristic test device 1 is equipped with the second pressure control valve 26 and the second actuator 27, but is not equipped with the first pressure control valve 23 and the first actuator 24, the internal pressure of the second action space 5 can be maintained based on the pressure value detected by the system second fluid pressure gauge 16, a pressure difference can be created between the first action space 5 and the second action space 7, and a bending load can be applied to the flat test piece 2 to perform a flat bending test.

[0046] In the characteristic test apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the test piece 2 is flat, but it is possible to perform characteristic tests on test pieces that are roughly flat, hemispherical, etc.

[0047] When a plate bending test or creep test is performed using the characteristic testing device 1, the amount of bending deformation of the plate-shaped test piece 2 due to the pressure difference between the first working space 5 and the second working space 7 can be measured by a displacement meter 33 attached to the container 3.

[0048] Fig. 2 shows a conceptual structural diagram of the container 3 in the characteristic test apparatus 1, in which a displacement meter 33 is attached to the bottom of the flat test piece 2. The characteristic test apparatus 1 in Fig. 2 is basically an enlarged view of the container 3 of the characteristic test apparatus 1 in Fig. 1, and the following description will focus on the differences between the two, with corresponding parts being given the same reference numerals. Also, description of matters common to both embodiments will be omitted.

[0049] In the characteristic test apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2, the pressure (P1) in the first working space 5 is TIFF2025028797000002.tif8168The flat plate-shaped test piece 2 is deformed downward in a convex shape as shown in Figure 2. The test piece 2 is in a stress field and deformation field with a boundary condition of a fixed circumference, and the maximum bending deformation amount (Wmax) 38 of the test piece 2 with a plate thickness t is given by equation (1) using the longitudinal elastic modulus (E) of the test piece 2, the Poisson's ratio (ν) of the test piece 2, and the diameter (2r) 39 of the pressure-receiving surface of the test piece 2. The displacement meter 33 is preferably disposed so as to be positioned at the center of the pressure-receiving surface so as to measure approximately the maximum bending deformation amount (Wmax) 38 of the test piece 2.

[0050] In FIG. 2, the lower surface of the test piece 2 and the upper surface of the displacement gauge 33 before the test when the test piece 2 is attached are The test piece 2 is deformed so as to maintain the relationship of equation (2) between TIFF2025028797000004.tif81670 and the maximum bending deformation (Wmax) 38 of the test piece 2. TIFF2025028797000005.tif9153

[0051] As an example, Figure 3 shows the test results obtained by a slow strain rate bending test of resin material A and resin material B at test temperatures of -40°C, -15°C, and 23°C using the prototype characteristic test device 1. The longitudinal elastic modulus (E) of resin material A and resin material B was calculated from the maximum bending deformation (Wmax) read from TIFF2025028797000006.tif8168th position total 33. The longitudinal elastic modulus (EA ) is only affected by temperature, whereas the longitudinal elastic modulus of resin B (E B ) is significantly affected by temperature. In this way, by using the characteristic test device 1, mechanical characteristic tests such as slow strain rate bending tests can be performed compactly and simply even in low temperature ranges.

[0052] As an example, Figure 4 shows a photograph of the appearance of a resin test piece 2 from its bottom after a slow strain rate bending test was performed in a hydrogen environment at -80°C using an actual prototype characteristic test device 1. It can be seen that the resin test piece 2 has been deformed in a convex shape toward the bottom due to bending deformation.

[0053] In the first embodiment, gas is given as an example of the first fluid supplied to the first action space 5 and the second fluid supplied to the second action space 7, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the fluid may be a substance in a liquid state or a substance in a gaseous state at the test temperature. Examples of substances in a liquid state at the test temperature include liquid water, alcohol, and oil. The fluid may be any of these. Examples of substances in a gaseous state at the test temperature include reducing gases such as hydrogen, inert gases such as nitrogen and argon, rare gas elements such as helium, air, oxygen, and water vapor. The fluid may be any of these.

[0054] (Second embodiment) The characteristic test apparatus 1 of the second embodiment is for quantifying characteristics such as damage of the test piece 2, and is not limited to the first embodiment described above, and can be modified as appropriate. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the characteristic test apparatus of the second embodiment. The characteristic test apparatus 1 of the second embodiment is basically the same as the characteristic test apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the following description will focus on the differences between the two, and corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, description of matters common to both embodiments will be omitted.

[0055] The characteristic test device 1 of the second embodiment has a second fluid discharge system 19 that discharges a second fluid having a different composition from the first fluid in the first working space 5 to the outside of the container 3, and a concentration analyzer 41 that analyzes the concentration of a fluid that has leaked from the first working space 5 to the second working space 7 and is contained in the second fluid discharged from the second working space 7 to the outside of the container 3. The concentration analyzer 41 also has a data recording system 42 that records the measured concentration value. Gas cylinders having different compositions are used for the first fluid gas cylinder 9 and the second fluid gas cylinder 12.

[0056] The concentration analyzer 41 is provided in the second fluid discharge system 19, and includes a metal oxide semiconductor gas sensor as a detector, and a column, which is a tube for separating the sample gas. The concentration analyzer 41 performs gas analysis using a gas chromatography technique, and separates gases by utilizing the difference in speed at which gas components pass through the column. Gas components are identified by the appearance time (retention time) of peaks in a chromatogram. By changing the column, it is possible to handle various gas types.

[0057] In the characteristic testing device 1 of the second embodiment, the concentration analyzer 41 has been described as being of the metal oxide semiconductor type as an example, but the concentration analyzer 41 can be of any type, such as differential, infrared absorption, chemiluminescence, magnetic pressure, zirconia, or galvanic cell type, and can similarly quantify characteristics such as damage to the test piece 2.

[0058] The data recording system 42 is a personal computer with dedicated software installed. For example, the sample name, measurement time, measurement temperature, etc. are input by operating the operation section of the data recording system 42, and the measurement results are displayed on the screen output section of the data recording system 42 after measurement. Furthermore, the measurement data is stored in the memory section of the data recording system 42, making it easy to manage and search.

[0059] Next, the operation of the characteristic test device 1 of the second embodiment will be described. After the flat test piece 2 is stored in the container 3, gas is supplied from the first fluid gas cylinder 9 and the second fluid gas cylinder 12 to the first working space 5 and the second working space 7 of the container 3 through the first fluid supply system 11 and the second fluid supply system 14, respectively. In this case, the composition of the first fluid in the first working space 5 and the second fluid in the second working space 7 are made different. For example, a hydrogen cylinder is used as the first fluid gas cylinder 9 to fill the first working space 5 with hydrogen gas, and an argon cylinder is used as the second fluid gas cylinder 12 to fill the second working space 7 with argon gas. When the pressure of the gas supplied to the first working space 5 and the second working space 7 is low, it is compressed by the first fluid compressor 10 and the second fluid compressor 13. Conversely, when the pressure of the first fluid gas cylinder 9 and the second fluid gas cylinder 12 is high, a pressure reducing valve is used instead of the compressors 10 and 13.

[0060] In this state, the pressure of the first fluid in the first action space 5 is made higher than the pressure of the second fluid in the second action space 7, and the change over time in the concentration of the fluid contained in the second fluid discharged from the second action space 7 that has leaked from the first action space 5 to the second action space 7 through the flat test piece 2 is analyzed using a concentration analyzer 41, making it possible to continuously or intermittently measure the change over time in damage during mechanical property tests and durability tests of the flat test piece 2.

[0061] According to the characteristic testing device 1 of the second embodiment, the compositions of the first fluid in the first action space 5 and the second fluid in the second action space 7 are made different, and a static bending load or a variable bending load is applied to the flat test piece 2. By analyzing the concentration of the first fluid that has leaked from the first action space 5 to the second action space 7 and contained in the second action space 7 discharged from the second action space 7, it is possible to continuously track the degree of damage to the flat test piece 2 caused by the bending load and the change in the damage over time.

[0062] Furthermore, according to the characteristic test device 1 of the second embodiment, it is possible to correlate the bending deformation amount 38 of the flat test piece 2 or the change over time of the bending deformation amount 38 measured by the displacement meter 33 during the course of a mechanical characteristic test or durability test of the flat test piece 2 with the concentration or the change over time of the concentration of the first fluid leaking from the test piece 2 measured by the concentration analyzer 41. That is, it is possible to correlate the bending deformation amount 38 of the flat test piece 2 or the change over time of the bending deformation amount 38 with damage to the flat test piece 2 or the change over time of the damage.

[0063] In the above, the characteristic test device 1 of the second embodiment has been described taking hydrogen gas as the first fluid, argon gas as the second fluid, and a hydrogen concentration analyzer as the concentration analyzer 41 as an example, but the first fluid may be air, the second fluid may be an inert gas such as nitrogen gas, and the concentration analyzer 41 may be an oxygen concentration analyzer. In short, it is only necessary that the fluid type to be measured by the concentration analyzer 41 is contained in the first fluid and not contained in the second fluid, and the fluid type of the first fluid and the fluid type of the second fluid are not limited to a specific fluid type.

[0064] In the characteristic test device 1 of the second embodiment, the first fluid in the first action space 5 and the second fluid in the second action space 7 may be different fluids, and the first fluid in the first action space 5 and the second fluid in the second action space 7 may be a substance in a liquid state or a substance in a gaseous state at the test temperature. The substance in a liquid state at the test temperature may be liquid water, alcohol, or oil. The substance in a gaseous state at the test temperature may be hydrogen, nitrogen, air, oxygen, argon, helium, water vapor, or the like.

[0065] In the second embodiment, a gas analyzer is given as an example of the concentration analyzer 41, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the concentration analyzer 41 may be a liquid analyzer, an oxygen concentration meter, a mass spectrometer, a trace concentration gas analyzer, an oxygen analyzer conforming to the JIS standard, or the like.

[0066] (Third embodiment) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the characteristic test apparatus 1 of the third embodiment. The characteristic test apparatus 1 of the third embodiment is basically the same as the characteristic test apparatus 1 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, but is characterized in that it can test the characteristics of the flat test piece 2 in a wide temperature range from low temperatures below freezing to high temperatures. Therefore, in the following, the differences between the third embodiment and the first and second embodiments, that is, the thermostatic chamber 43 that houses the container 3, will be mainly described, and the matters common to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 and the second embodiment of FIG. 5 will be omitted. In addition, in order to avoid the complication of FIG. 6, the parts already described in the first embodiment of FIG. 1 and the second embodiment of FIG. 5, especially the various means 24, 25, 27, 28, etc. associated with the first fluid system 11 and the second fluid system 14 and the various instrumentation 29, 30, 31, 32, etc. will not be illustrated, and the focus will be mainly on the illustration of the container 3 and the thermostatic chamber 43.

[0067] The characteristic test device 1 of the third embodiment includes a thermostatic chamber 43 that houses the container 3. The thermostatic chamber 43 includes a thermometer 44 therein, which measures the temperature inside the thermostatic chamber 43 and allows the inside of the thermostatic chamber 43 to be set to a desired temperature. This makes it possible to set the temperatures of the container 3 and the flat test piece 2 to the desired temperatures.

[0068] In the characteristic test device 1 of this third embodiment, the displacement meter 33 is installed in a container 33 housed in a thermostatic chamber 33, and the signal of the displacement meter 33 is transmitted via an instrumentation cable 34 to a displacement transducer 35 arranged outside the thermostatic chamber 43.

[0069] In Figure 6, the characteristic testing apparatus 1 of the third embodiment is explained using the example of placing one container in one thermostatic chamber and testing the material properties of one test piece 2, but the characteristic testing apparatus 1 of the third embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to cases where two or more containers 3 are stored in the thermostatic chamber 43.

[0070] In the characteristic test apparatus 1 of the third embodiment, after the temperature inside the thermostatic chamber 43, measured by the thermometer 44, is statically settled at a desired temperature, a mechanical characteristic test such as a slow strain rate bending test and a durability test such as a creep test can be carried out.

[0071] In addition, according to the characteristic test device 1 of the third embodiment, the temperature in the thermostatic chamber 43 is changed from a first set temperature to a second set temperature, which is set in advance, so that the test can be performed while changing the temperature of the container 3 and the flat test piece 2. Furthermore, the test can be performed while repeatedly changing the temperature between the first set temperature and the second set temperature. In other words, a thermal cycle test can be performed while applying a bending load to the test piece 33 in a desired temperature range from low to high temperatures.

[0072] As described above, the characteristic testing apparatus 1 of the third embodiment has a compact configuration and is capable of conducting mechanical characteristic tests such as slow strain rate bending tests and durability tests such as strain tests on the test piece 2 in a desired fluid environment and at any temperature range from low to high.

[0073] (Fourth Example) FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the characteristic test apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment. The characteristic test apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment is basically the same as the characteristic test apparatus 1 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, but is characterized in that it can test the characteristics of the flat test piece 2 over a wide temperature range from low temperatures below freezing to high temperatures. Therefore, in the following, the differences between the fourth embodiment and the first and second embodiments, that is, the insulated container 45 that houses the container 3 and contains a heat medium such as a refrigerant, will be mainly described, and the matters common to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 and the second embodiment of FIG. 5 will be omitted. In addition, in order to avoid the complication of FIG. 7, the parts already described in the first embodiment of FIG. 1 and the second embodiment of FIG. 5, especially the various means 24, 25, 27, 28, etc. associated with the first fluid system 11 and the second fluid system 14 and the various instrumentation 29, 30, 31, 32, etc. will not be illustrated, and the focus will be mainly on the illustration of the container 3 and the insulated tank 45.

[0074] The characteristic test device 1 of the fourth embodiment includes a thermal insulation vessel 45 for housing the vessel 3. The thermal insulation vessel 45 may be a vacuum thermal insulation vessel or may be made of a thermal insulation material with low thermal conductivity. As shown in Fig. 7, the thermal insulation vessel 45 can house a heat transfer medium such as a refrigerant.

[0075] In the characteristic test device 1 of the fourth embodiment, the heat medium stored in the heat medium storage tank 46 arranged outside the heat insulating tank 45 can be transported to the heat insulating tank 45 via the heat medium supply system 47. The heat medium may be liquid nitrogen or liquid helium.

[0076] The characteristic testing apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment has a compact configuration and is capable of carrying out mechanical characteristic tests such as slow strain rate bending tests and durability tests such as strain tests on the test piece 2 in a desired fluid environment at any temperature range from low to high, particularly at extremely low temperatures.

[0077] The following technical ideas can be understood from the above embodiment. (1) It is possible to provide a characteristic testing device which applies a bending load to the test piece by creating a pressure difference between the internal pressure of the first space (the first working space) and the internal pressure of the second space (the second working space), and which enables mechanical characteristic tests such as slow strain rate bending tests and durability tests such as creep tests in a desired temperature range from low temperature, including extremely low temperatures, to high temperatures, while measuring the amount of bending deformation with a displacement meter fixed to the container.

[0078] (2) According to the invention of (1), a low-cost characteristic test device can be provided without requiring any large-scale, complicated structure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0079] The present invention expands the scope of application of this characteristic testing device beyond fatigue testing of specimens exposed to fluid environments such as hydrogen environments at temperatures ranging from low to high, including cryogenic temperatures, to mechanical property tests such as slow strain rate bending tests and even durability tests such as strain tests. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1. Characteristic test equipment 2. Flat test piece (test piece) 3 containers 4. Top of container 5 First action space (first space) 6 Lower part of container 7 Second action space (second space) 8. Packing 9. First fluid supply means (first fluid gas cylinder) 10 First pressurizing means (first compressor, first pressure reducing valve) 11 First fluid supply system 12 Second fluid supply means (second fluid gas cylinder) 13 Second pressurizing means (second compressor, second pressure reducing valve) 14 Second fluid supply system 15 System 1 Fluid Pressure Gauge 16 System Secondary Fluid Pressure Gauge 17 First fluid discharge system 18 First pressure control valve exhaust system 19 Second fluid discharge system 20 Second pressure control valve exhaust system 21 Container first fluid pressure gauge 22 Container secondary fluid pressure gauge 23 First fluid pressure regulating means (first pressure regulating valve) 24 First Actuator 25 First pressure regulator 26 Second fluid pressure regulating means (second pressure regulating valve) 27 Second Actuator 28 Second pressure regulator 29 Central processing unit (CPU) 30 Control section 31 Pressure display unit 32 Storage means (data logger, RAM, ROM) 33 Displacement gauge 34 Instrumentation Cable 35 Displacement transducer 36 Displacement display unit 37 Seal structure 38 Maximum bending deformation (Wmax) 39 Diameter of pressure surface (2r) TIFF2025028797000007.tif73941 Concentration analyzer 42 Data Acquisition System 43 Constant temperature bath 44 Thermometer 45 Insulated Tank 46 Heat medium storage tank 47 Heat medium supply system

Claims

1. A characteristic test apparatus for evaluating mechanical properties or durability of a test piece in a fluid atmosphere such as hydrogen, a container for storing the test strip, the container being partitioned by the test strip into a first working space and a second working space each having a fixed volume; a fluid supply means for supplying a fluid to at least one of a first working space and a second working space formed between the container and the test piece contained therein; a pressure adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of the fluid to create a pressure difference between the pressure of the first fluid in the first working space and the pressure of the second fluid in the second working space, thereby applying a bending load to the test piece; a displacement meter for measuring a bending deformation amount of the test piece due to the bending load, in at least one of the first working space and the second working space; A characteristic test device comprising:

2. a second fluid supply means for supplying a second fluid having a composition different from that of the first fluid in the first working space to the second working space; a concentration analysis means for analyzing a concentration of the first fluid contained in the second fluid, the first fluid cross-leaking into the second working space due to breakage of the test piece; 2. The characteristic test apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. At least one thermostatic chamber for housing the container; 3. The characteristic test apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. a thermal insulation tank having an internal space capable of accommodating the container and having thermal insulation properties; a heat transfer medium supply system for supplying a heat transfer medium to the internal space of the thermal insulation tank; 3. The characteristic test apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

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