Apparatus and method for measuring elastomeric properties of a specimen during a test procedure

An apparatus for measuring stress relaxation properties of an elastomeric specimen during a test procedure, comprising:

• a first compression member having a first aperature defined therein;
• a second compression member having a second aperature defined therein and spaced apart from said first compression member;
• a load cell having a body, a movable probe, and being adapted to deliver data in real time during the test procedure, said body being fixedly connected to said first compression member and said specimen being interposed between said movable probe and said second compression member;
• and
• a connecting mechanism connecting said first compression member to said second compression and maintaining the first compression member at a fixed predetermined spaced distance from said second compression member during said test procedure, said connecting mechanism includes a bolt extending through said first aperture and into screwthreadable engagement with said second aperture so as to connect.

An apparatus for measuring stress relaxation properties of an elastomeric specimen during a test procedure, comprising:

• a first compression member;
• a second compression member spaced apart from said first compression member;
• a load cell having a body, a movable probe, and being adapted to deliver data in real time during the test procedure, said body being fixedly connected to said first compression member and said specimen being interposed between said movable probe and said second compression member;
• and
• a connecting mechanism having a plurality of spaced apart shims disposed between and contactable with the first and second compression members, said plurality of shims defining a fixed predetermined spaced distance between said first and second compression members, said connecting mechanism connecting said first compression member to said second compression member and maintaining the first compression member at said fixed predetermined spaced distance from said second compression member during said test procedure.

A method of measuring stress relaxation properties of an elastomeric specimen during a test procedure, comprising the steps of:

• providing a load measuring assembly having a first compression member, a second compression member spaced apart from the first compression member, a load cell having a body, a movable probe and being adapted to deliver data in real time during the test procedure, the body being fixedly connected to the first compression member and the specimen being interposed between the movable probe and the second compression member, and a connecting mechanism connecting the first compression member to the second compression member and maintaining the first compression member at a fixed predetermined spaced distance from said second compression member during the test procedure;
• exposing the load measuring assembly to an aging fluid during said testing procedure;
• and
• generating test data based on the stress relaxation properties of the specimen with the load cell in real time during the exposing step.