The Orton Ceramic Foundation Refractories Testing and Research Center (ORTRC) has added a new creep compression test machine to its facilities. These units are typically used in high temperature applications, up to 1650C, that require a high degree of accuracy. The key feature of these units is the use of a laser extensometer for measuring the specimen dilation and deformation. Repeatability of measurements is within 0.0005 in., with a resolution of 0.0002 in. In these laser-based systems, a correction factor for baseline drift is not required, as in conventional creep machines that are based on push-rod/LVDT systems. This allows for the direct measurement of specimen length, thus avoiding the problems associated with any type of physical contact measurement. With this second new creep compression test machine, the ORTRC will now be able to process more refractory specimens in a significantly shorter time and customers will enjoy more rapid turn-around on their sample results.

The company's website is located at http://www.ortonceramic.com.