System for aerosol sampling during mechanical load

A system comprising:

• a test enclosure configured to supportably receive a rod-shaped test specimen therein, the test enclosure including a lid portion and a base portion, wherein:
• the lid portion is adapted to fit over the base portion and includes first and second openings extending entirely through the lid portion, and
• the base portion includes a base tray and a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom, wherein first and second ones of the plurality of sidewalls are positioned opposite each other and include first and second side openings, respectively, to receive the rod-shaped test specimen therethrough, wherein the base tray includes first and second slots along a lateral periphery thereof, the base portion further including an access opening for a sampler conduit;
• a load apparatus configured to apply a mechanical bending load to the rod-shaped test specimen when the rod-shaped test specimen is supportably received within the test enclosure, wherein the load apparatus includes a fixed cross-head and a movable cross-head, wherein the base portion of the test enclosure is supported atop the fixed cross-head, the fixed cross-head including a first support pin extending upwardly through the first slot in the base tray and including a second support pin extending upwardly through the second slot in the base tray, wherein the movable cross-head includes a first load pin extending downwardly in alignment with the first opening in the lid portion and includes a second load pin extending downwardly in alignment with the second opening in the lid portion;
• and
• an aerosol sampling pack in fluid communication with the test enclosure via the sampler conduit, wherein the test enclosure is adapted to receive the rod-shaped test specimen horizontally through the first and second side openings of the base portion, such that the rod-shaped test specimen is held in place while subjected to a bending load from the mechanical-test apparatus when the first and second load pins of the movable cross-head are lowered into engagement with the rod-shaped test specimen, wherein the aerosol sampling pack is adapted to detect solid aerosols released by the rod-shaped test specimen if fractured when subjected to the mechanical bending load.