Low Load Mechanical Testing of Soft Materials

Low Load Mechanical Testing of Soft Materials is a specialized approach used to assess the mechanical properties of materials with low stiffness or inherent softness. It is particularly crucial for materials like polymers, elastomers, gels, foams, and biological tissues, which can deform or get damaged under high loads, rendering traditional mechanical testing methods unsuitable. The objective of low load tensile or compression testing is to quantitatively evaluate how these materials respond to various stresses and strains, all while employing forces below the thresholds typically used in traditional tests. This precision is essential to ensure that the material remains undistorted during testing. Low load mechanical testing finds applications in biomechanics, and the development of medical devices, soft robotics, and wearable technology, providing insights into the mechanical characteristics of soft materials.