The TA Instruments ElectroForce Apex 1 Mechanical Testing Instrument enables scientists, engineers, and technicians to efficiently and reliably evaluate mechanical properties through monotonic testing, fatigue analysis, and other material characterization methods—all with minimal training required.
Mechanical testing is a core practice in leading laboratories and manufacturing environments, supporting everything from material selection and design decisions to component evaluation and product performance validation. The ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument is designed to deliver accurate, dependable results—while keeping operation straightforward and efficient.
Image Credit: TA Instruments.
Take Testing to New Heights
The ElectroForce Apex 1 Mechanical Testing Instrument allows users across a variety of industries to measure a broad spectrum of mechanical properties with ease and efficiency. Featuring an extended stroke length and an intuitive design, it enables precise tensile and fatigue testing of high-performance and lightweight polymers and composites.
- Dynamic performance: Completes fatigue testing for complex materials up to 30 % faster, resulting in faster product development and validation.
- Streamlined workflow: Automated controls and fewer process steps reduce operator errors and ensure precision, enabling safe and confident testing.
- Versatility: Increased motor stroke range (100 mm) expands testing of more materials across diverse industries, offering greater insights from one instrument.
Achieve Precision with Simplified Testing
The ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument features:
- Enhanced test setup and safety: Integrated motor brake, crosshead lock sensing, and setup mode reduce training and ensure sample and system protection.
- Exceptional accuracy: The high-precision displacement sensor exceeds ASTM E2309 Class A standards with 1 nanometer resolution.
- Dependable testing: Automated control system tuning and data acquisition enable confident material characterization while minimizing the need to manage instrument operations.
- Flexible testing: Available in three configurations (axial tabletop, axial floor standing, and axial torsional floor standing) and offers a broad range of accessories for real-world testing.
- User-friendly features: SmartSwap™ Technology simplifies sensor and configuration, while the System Status Indicator provides quick visual feedback on instrument status.
Image Credit: TA Instruments.
Ensure Product Performance and Durability
Material strength and durability testing plays a growing role in speeding up product development for demanding applications—from aerospace to construction materials. Leading labs and manufacturers rely on both monotonic and fatigue testing to guide material selection and design decisions, followed by component and product-level evaluations.
Using the ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument for monotonic and fatigue testing early in the development process can help reduce costs by uncovering potential material or design weaknesses before reaching validation or post-launch stages.
Source: TA Instruments
| Mechanical Properties |
Material Characteristic Measured |
| Elastic (Young’s) modulus |
Stiffness |
| Yield strength |
Maximum stress before permanently deforming |
| Ultimate strength |
Maximum stress supported by material |
| Elongation at break |
Length change at breaking point |
| Fatigue life |
Durability under repeated loading |
| Creep compliance |
Deformation over time at constant load |
| Stress relaxation |
Decrease in stress over time |
| Fracture toughness |
Amount of stress to fracture |
| Fatigue crack growth |
Amount cracks grow under repeated loading |
Broaden the Scope of Your Material Analysis
The ElectroForce Apex 1’s linear motor technology supports versatile mechanical testing across a broad range of forces, frequencies, and displacements—from below 1 Hz to over 100 Hz, and from micron-level to 100 mm.
Engineered specifically for mechanical testing, its advanced design enables precise experiment execution, delivering faster results and helping to accelerate development timelines. The friction-free motor, paired with a high-accuracy displacement sensor, ensures precise motion control—capturing even subtle material behaviors without distortion.
This system gives researchers the tools to conduct reliable, efficient testing with maximum precision and confidence.
Image Credit: TA Instruments
Expedite Testing with Reduced Steps
Powered by next-generation TuneIQ technology, the ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument simplifies setup by reducing—or even eliminating—the need to manually select and adjust control modes during testing.
Just install your sample and begin testing—no complicated control mode configurations needed.
- Constant sample monitoring protects your sample and the instrument.
- Sample break detection stops the motor immediately when a sample fracture is detected, preventing damage to the sample surface.
- Simplified test set-up process minimizes operator training time and errors, enhancing operator confidence.
Evaluate Samples in Real-Life Conditions
Accurate mechanical testing often requires simulating real-world conditions to effectively evaluate material properties. With a range of available accessories, the ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument allows users to test sample behavior under a variety of conditions and end-use environments.
Environmental
Ovens and baths simulate a wide temperature range, including conditions to simulate the human body for biomaterials and medical device research.
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Clamps
Grips for tension—or combined tension and compression—are commonly used to replicate sample conditions, along with compression platens and bend fixtures.
Image Credit: TA Instruments.
Sensors
Optional sensors enable measurement of sample behavior across a range of conditions, including low-force applications, submersible testing, and direct strain measurement.
Image Credit: TA Instruments.
Accelerate Operator Training and Proficiency
The ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument is designed with intuitive operation and a user-friendly interface, helping to minimize training requirements. Its streamlined features support faster test setup and execution, allowing operators to build confidence quickly while reducing the risk of errors.
- The automated data acquisition setup ensures reliable and accurate data recording.
- Guided test-specific workflows streamline inputs and reduce setup complexity.
- Integrated software and data analysis automatically display the most relevant data, enabling insightful conclusions.
- Next-generation TuneIQ automates control modes and reduces the tuning process.
- Test parameter traceability enables tracking from setup to the final TRIOS software data file.
Image Credit: TA Instruments.