The TMF Subsystem is ideal for inducing thermal cycling in a metallic (magnetically susceptible) specimen. A combination of induction heating and air cooling allows thermomechanical fatigue tests to be performed in or out of phase with a load force. The TMF subsystem has a user-friendly design that helps operators perform repeatable test setup tasks quickly. Air cooling jets and the induction coil have easy, repeatable adjustments, meaning that specimen changes do not require as much setup time to reestablish the initial conditions. A specimen centering tool provides quick initial position for the coil. The coil is mounted on an x, y, z positioner that has manual adjustment knobs with numerical indicators allowing 50 mm of travel in 3-axes for fine positioning relative to the specimen. A quick release slide allows the coil to be easily pulled from the test space with the ability to return to its original position. Air cooling jets are also easily folded back or removed to gain access to the specimen with the same ability to snap back into the original position.
The induction coil is coated in electrically insulating material to provide an additional safety factor against electric shock. The coil, generator and RF oscillator are water cooled and interlocked for water flow. A second interlock specimen thermocouple also provides indication in the event that the primary control thermocouple becomes detached. TestSuite software templates for TMF include test setup, to establish thermal gradients; and test run, to perform and report results on the TMF test.
