Flexural Testing

Three, or four-point, flexural testing measures the force required to bend a beam of the material and can be used to determine the resistance to flexing, or stiffness, of a material. Flexural modulus is indicative of how much a material can bend before permanent deformation occurs and is an extremely important property when designing structural components or assemblies.

Since the physical properties of many materials, especially thermoplastics, can vary considerably depending on ambient temperature, it is sometimes appropriate to test materials at controlled temperatures that simulate the intended end use environment.

The data can be used to select materials for parts that will support loads
without flexing or, conversely, for applications where products must be able to withstand an amount of movement without failing.