New case study: examining the mechanical behaviour of an epoxy resin over a range of strain rates

Case study provided by IMDEA Materials Institute, Madrid
12 February 2025 by
Alison Schaal

SEM images of a pillar before testing (a), the same pillar after the low-speed test (b) and a pillar after the impact test


IMDEA Materials Institute has an international reputation in the design, processing, characterization, modelling and simulation of advanced materials for applications in transportation, industry, energy and health.

The Institute is made up of around 100 researchers from 15 nationalities organized into 16 research groups, whose activities revolve around 4 research programs:

  • New materials
  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Multiscale characterization of materials and processes
  • Integrated computational materials engineering.

The case study describes high strain rate experiments on polymers and shows results gained from a novel test set up for high strain rate micropillar compression testing.

Also detailed are high temperature nanoindentation tests carried out on Refractory High Entropy Alloys, materials which are attracting a great deal of interest as they can withstand the high temperatures experienced in-service in combustion engines used in the aerospace sector and even improve the performance of the combustion itself.

Could you use the NanoTest instrument to turbo-charge your research?

 Click here to access the strain rate case study.   

For more detailed information about the micro-impact test technique, available for use  at both room temperature and the elevated temperatures required not only in cutting tools applications but also in the aerospace and nuclear sectors, please visit

https://www.micromaterials.co.uk/impact  - or speak to one of our applications experts directly.