Testing Services.
We provide a wide range of testing services for aerospace and industrial applications in our facilities in Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Finland and the US.
Over four decades of experience in testing services.
Beyond Gravity has been involved in space missions since the first space missions in the early 1970s. For us, reliability, meticulous planning and, not least, rigorous testing are important and vital parts in the development of components, electronics and structures for use in space. With our long-standing experience and extensive knowledge we are able to test a wide range of materials and products in our test facilities in Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Finland and the US. The testing for qualification and testing of flight hardware and industrial products is one of our core competences. This includes destructive as well as non-destructive testing.
Mechanical and Structural Testing
Beyond Gravity has a long-standing history in the management and execution of mechanical and structural testing. The extensive experience and expertise gained over many years of testing internal projects, combined with the specialized testing equipment developed during this time, ensures that a reliable partner is also available to external customers for all testing services
Static Load Testing
Several test rigs of different sizes are available for large-scale structural testing under static loading. The 10-meter static load test rig is the largest test rig in Europe. The flexible design of the static load test rig allows us to apply high loads in all directions simultaneously. Large structures can be measured with photogrammetry and tracked in their movement.
Separation Test
A comprehensive separation test, including a pyrotechnic separation test, can be performed to measure and analyze the shocks that affect the spacecraft as it separates from the final stage of the rocket. Laser trackers, strain gages, accelerometers, thermocouples, high-speed cameras, and state-of-the-art tracking software are used to measure, detect, and document these tests.
Modal Survey – Structural Dynamic Characterization of Components
In our structural test center, the structural dynamic characterization of components can be determined through experimental modal measurement tests. Modal tests provide the opportunity to simulate and understand the dynamic behavior of structures and to determine the cause of noise and vibration phenomena.
Materials Testing and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
The Beyond Gravity Materials Test Lab is certified for non-destructive inspection (NDI) of composite structures and equipped to measure physical properties of materials. X-ray analysis, microscopy, friction, and dye penetrant testing are also part of the expertise that our specialists can offer as a service to external customers and for our own projects.
Hardness Test – Determination of material properties
Equipped with multi-purpose and micro hardness measuring instruments from Leica and Gnehm, the materials testing laboratory can determine the Vickers, Brinell and Rockwell hardness of materials.
With our portable testing equipment, it is also possible to perform on-site measurements to determine hardness.
- Vickers hardness
- Brinell hardness
- Rockwell hardness
- Shore hardness
- Leeb hardness
- Hardness gradient in materials
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF Testing)
With our XRF analyzers from Fisherscope and Delta X, the alloy composition of a sample can be determined in seconds. XRF analysis allows for verification and identification of metals in a non-destructive manner. This instrument uses X-rays and measures the fluorescent X-rays specific to each element. Almost all metals and other trace elements can be detected. Beyond Gravity offers XRF testing in our facilities or on-site.
- Determination of alloy composition
- Detection of trace elements
Optical Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Inspections
Light microscopes, stereoscopes, and scanning electron microscopes are available to examine microsections, as well as other specimens in greater detail, offering 2 nm resolution and magnification up to 2.4 million times. Grain structures of etched metal surfaces can be visualized with polarized light, for which a range of polarizing filters is available.
Microscopy is also used for many other purposes, such as determining fibers, volume content, microstructures, pore content, coating thickness, and detecting non-metallic inclusions in stainless steels.
- Microstructure
- Texture gradient
- Fiber volume content
- Porosity content
- Thickness of coating
Electrical Conductivity Test (SIGMATEST)
The Materials Testing Laboratory offers electrical conductivity testing to determine the film thickness of organic coatings on non-ferromagnetic substrates. A portable tester, Olympus NORTEC 600, uses the eddy current method. The method is mainly used to determine the thickness of “Ematal” coatings, a mineral-based coating used to protect metals in harsh environments.
- Thickness of the coating
- Mostly used for “Ematal” coatings
With the Olympus NORTEC 600 instrument it is also possible to determine the specific electrical conductivity of non-ferromagnetic electrical conductors. In combination with hardness measurements or XRF tests, it is thus possible to determine not only the alloy composition of a sample, but also its condition.
- Conductivity measurement
- Determination of the heat treatment conditions of aluminum
Dye Penetration Inspection (DPI)
Liquid penetrant inspection (LPI) or penetrant testing (PT) is one of the most commonly used non-destructive testing (NDT) methods. This NDT procedure is a cost-effective method for locating surface cracks or other surface interruptions. The dye penetrant testing facility in Zurich is part of the Beyond Gravity Materials Testing Lab. Small batches or one-off products can be flexibly and quickly assessed in our stationary facility by our EN 4179 / NAS 410 certified experts.
Ultrasound Testing
Acoustic emission and ultrasonic testing are two non-destructive testing (NDT) methods that can help detect and evaluate defects, cracks, corrosion and other flaws in mechanical components and structures. Ultrasound testing provides an ideal platform for non-destructive inspection (NDI) of materials and structural health monitoring (SHM).
For composites, it is critical that CFRP panels are free of delamination. For this reason, we invest considerable effort in non-destructive testing (NDT) using ultrasonic testing and acoustic emission testing. In acoustic emission testing (AET), the interference pattern of reflected sound waves provides information about the composite properties of laminates and sandwich structures. Ultrasonic testing (UT) uses high-frequency sound waves to examine the internal structure of a material or structure. The portable devices offer a high degree of flexibility and can be used for both large and small structures.
Tensile Testing
Our tensile testing machines can provide results for tensile, compression, bending and shear force tests. Zwick, Shimadzu, and Instron tensile testing machines are most commonly used for tension and compression tests. Strain gauges and displacement transducers provide a tool for very accurate determination of displacements. Forces up to 250 kN can be applied.
Heat chambers attached to the tensile testing machines allow testing between -160°C and 350°C. Specialized equipment also allows for evaluation of bending and shear properties.
Bolt Testing
Our bolt testers can be used to test and evaluate thread torque, bolt head torque and bolt tension. With our wide range of standard or custom adapters, we can create truly representative conditions for the bolted joint, right down to the correct surface finish.
Friction Testing
Our friction test rig allows us to determine the resulting friction and wear when combining different surface treatments. Our test rig consists of a rigid frame with two hydraulic cylinders and load cells, one each for the force to provide normal pressure and the force to push the test sample. The coefficient of friction is calculated from the measured values of the two pressure forces.
Electronic Components
Beyond Gravity Test Center has the equipment and technical expertise when it comes to testing electrical components and circuit boards. We are able to evaluate the performance, function and quality of both surface mount and hole mount components. We can determine and evaluate the bonding characteristics of solder joints and use X-ray equipment to examine the properties of multilayer printed circuit boards (PCB) and the interiors of most types of passive or active electrical components, as well as smaller structures.
Environmental Testing
The Beyond Gravity Test Centers specialize in the performance of mechanical and climatic environmental testing. Not only the execution of development and qualification tests is an essential part of our expertise, but also the consulting, organization, coordination and management of test programs in internal and external facilities on behalf of our customers.
- Vibration and Shock Testing
- Shock Testing
- Pyroshock Testing
- Centrifuge Testing
- Climatic Testing
- Thermal Vacuum Testing
- EMC Tests
- Antenna Testing
- Space Mechanism Testing
- Interferometric measurements
- EGSE Development
"Beyond Gravity offers extensive problem solving for aerospace and industrial applications."
Space Test Center in Zurich
Have you seen which environmental tests are offered by Beyond Gravity Space Test Center in Zurich?
