Test Systems & Laboratory Infrastructure

Capabilities & Equipment

RDFIA operates 23 servo-hydraulic test frames across four facilities, supported by in-house instrumentation calibration, specimen preparation, and a DVST-7 cleared secure bay for restricted-program work.

Installed Test Frames

Primary Load Application Systems

All frames are maintained under IASQ-9100 Rev. D calibration schedules. Load cell calibration traceable to NIST. Thermal conditioning via independent environmental chambers unless noted as integrated.

System Designation Axial Capacity Torsion Freq. Range Thermal Protocol Status
RIG-1A (Wichita) ±2,500 kN 0.001–80 Hz −65 to +230 °C JASF-9 §4.2 Operational
RIG-2B (Wichita) ±4,000 kN ±12,000 N·m 0.001–50 Hz Ambient JASF-9 §4.3 Operational
RIG-3A (Wichita) ±6,200 kN ±18,000 N·m 0.001–30 Hz −65 to +315 °C JASF-9 §4.3 / DHP-2 Operational
RIG-4C (Palmdale) ±1,800 kN ±5,500 N·m 0.001–120 Hz −65 to +180 °C JASF-9 §4.2 Operational
RIG-5A (Palmdale) ±900 kN 0.01–200 Hz Ambient ASTM E466 / E606 Operational
RIG-6D (Huntsville) ±3,200 kN ±9,000 N·m 0.001–60 Hz −196 to +260 °C DHP-2 / JASF-9 Operational
RIG-7C (Wichita — DVST) ±5,000 kN ±14,000 N·m 0.001–40 Hz −65 to +315 °C Program-specific Restricted Access
RIG-8A (Toulouse) ±2,000 kN ±7,000 N·m 0.001–100 Hz −55 to +200 °C EASA CS-25 / JASF-9 Operational
Instrumentation & Data Acquisition

Measurement Infrastructure

DIC

Digital Image Correlation

Full-field surface strain mapping at up to 10,000 fps using dual 29 MP cameras. Sub-pixel displacement resolution. Calibrated to Holvik Annex B traceability requirements. Standard on all RIG-3A and RIG-6D campaigns.

  • Resolution: 0.005% strain (1σ)
  • Field of view: 3 mm to 1,200 mm
  • Aramis v8 / GOM Correlate pipeline
AE

Acoustic Emission Monitoring

In-situ detection of crack initiation and delamination events using wideband AE sensors. RDFIA's Modified Kaiser Effect algorithm reduces false-positive cycle stops by 61% versus baseline DHP-2 criteria (ref. RDFIA-TN-2021-07).

  • Up to 64 channels simultaneous
  • 50 kHz–1 MHz acquisition
  • Real-time hit location (2D/3D)
XRD

Holvik Modified XRD Profiling

Non-destructive residual stress depth profiling per the Holvik Modified Protocol. Electropolishing station integrated for depth increment control. Part sizes up to 2.4 m span accommodated.

  • Depth resolution: 5 µm
  • Profiling to 2.0 mm depth
  • Cr, Cu, Co, Mn target selection
DAQ

Closed-Loop Control & Data Acquisition

512-channel synchronous data acquisition at up to 100 kS/s per channel. Custom RDFIA FatigueLink™ software provides real-time fatigue damage accumulation, Veldtmann condensation scheduling, and automated hold logic.

  • FatigueLink™ v4.3 platform
  • Rainflow counting (ASTM E1049)
  • Program-exportable cycle records
CT

Micro-CT Correlation

Post-exposure micro-computed tomography of coupon and subcomponent specimens. Voxel resolution to 1.5 µm. Delamination volume and crack-front geometry correlated to AE event records and DIC surface maps.

  • Max specimen: 280 mm diameter
  • Voxel size: 1.5–80 µm selectable
  • VGStudio MAX post-processing
ENV

Environmental Conditioning

Stand-alone and frame-integrated environmental chambers for salt fog, humidity, hydrogen atmosphere, liquid nitrogen, and LOX-compatible pressure environments. COPV test cells feature blast containment to 850 bar.

  • Salt fog: ASTM B117 / MIL-STD-810
  • H₂ atmosphere: up to 700 bar
  • Cryo: LH₂, LN₂, LOX compatible
Pressure Vessel Test Capability

COPV & Metallic Pressure Vessel Cycling

Parameter Metallic PV COPV (Carbon/Epoxy) COPV (Glass/Epoxy) Standard Reference
Max Proof Pressure 850 bar 700 bar 500 bar DHP-2 §6.1
Cycle Rate Up to 12 cycles/hr Up to 8 cycles/hr Up to 8 cycles/hr Program-specific
Cryogenic Media LH₂, LN₂, LOX LN₂, LOX LN₂ DVST-7 Req. 14
Max Vessel OD 1,400 mm 1,200 mm 900 mm Facility limit
Leak Detection Mass spectrometer He Mass spectrometer He Pressure decay JASF-9 §7.4
Blast Containment Rated to 850 bar Rated to 700 bar Rated to 500 bar DVST-7 / OSHA 29 CFR