Method and arrangement for mechanically testing the valve disk of ceramic valves

A device for testing valve disks of ceramic charge cycle valves for internal-combustion engines, said device comprising:

• a support for a valve disk, and
• a pressure foot for exercising a pressure force onto the valve disk,
• wherein the support is constructed for receiving a valve seat side of the valve disk,
• wherein the support has a receiving device for two stressing devices which are applied within half a circumference to a valve seat side in a radially exterior area of the valve disk, in an area of the valve seat, and
• wherein, at the pressure foot on an opposite side of the valve disk, a third stressing device is provided which is situated between said two stressing devices and in the radially exterior area of the valve disk.

A method of testing valve disks of ceramic charge cycle valves for internal combustion engines in a universal testing machine having a frame supporting a pressure foot and a valve support for a valve being tested, said method comprising the steps of:

• introducing pressure against a valve disk held in the machine between the pressure foot and the valve support to break the valve disk, and
• monitoring effects of said pressure on the valve disk,
• wherein said step of introducing pressure includes forcing first and second stressing devices against a valve seat side of the valve disk at respective first and second stressing locations and forcing a third stressing device against a side of the valve disk opposite said valve seat side and at a third stressing location disposed intermediate said first and second stressing locations,
• wherein the stressing locations are situated in a radially exterior area of the valve disk in an area of the valve seat.