What is BS EN 10371 about?
BS EN 10371 specifies the small punch method of testing metallic materials and the estimation of tensile, creep and fracture mechanical material properties from cryogenic up to hot temperatures.
The small punch technique described under BS EN 10371 is especially useful when only small amounts of material are available as in the case of experimental material batches, or for assessing the ageing of components where the extraction of classical specimen types would require expensive repairs. Other areas of interest for small punch testing are the characterization of irradiated materials, where small specimens minimize laboratory staff exposure to radiation or the investigation of different zones in welds.
Who is BS EN 10371 for?
BS EN 10371 on material evaluation through small punch test method is useful in a wide range of industries including power generation and petrochemicals. Specific users are:
- Manufacturers of alloys to be used in various applications
- Industrial plants and factories
- Entities undertaking residual life assessment
- Metallurgical engineers
Why should you use BS EN 10371?
Small punch testing is a method that uses tiny disks to estimate the mechanical properties such as tensile properties, fracture toughness and ductile-to-brittle transition temperature of metallic materials.
BS EN 10371 is beneficial as it allows estimation of the values normally obtained using classical standard size uniaxial or fracture mechanics specimens.
A major benefit of the small punch test method is that it enables the estimation of actual mechanical properties of operating components or structural materials without affecting their integrity and operational performance.
Overall, with the help of BS EN 10371, better quality metallic material with high tensile strength and rigidity can be manufactured which can survive even at elevated temperatures without any breakdown which will increase the efficiency of manufacturing industries. For your business, BS EN 10371 will highlight the structural integrity and residual life of components/materials in service. Using the small punch test method is not only a lucrative option where source materials are scarce but is also a minimally destructive process
