AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – August 6, 2014 – Element Daleville’s new fracture mechanics testing capability, which significantly reduces lead times, now has full ASTM E561 accreditation.

Element Materials Technology, the USA’s largest independent materials testing organization, developed the new capability, which covers KR Curve and Kapp panel fracture testing, reducing lead times from an average of eight days to an average of two days. This testing capability primarily serves clients in aerospace aluminum-testing, but also beyond aerospace for other alloy-specific testing. It complements its existing Nadcap accreditation at its Daleville laboratory.

Rick Sluiters, Element’s EVP, Aerospace, says, “We are delighted with the ASTM accreditation. The dramatic reduction in lead times allows us to serve our clients faster, to the same high standards. This enhanced offering in fracture mechanics testing capability ensures Element Daleville will play a key part in the development of our business in aerospace aluminum-alloys and other alloy-specific testing.

“The ASTM E561 accreditation is a great achievement for all involved at the laboratory. Building on the success of the Nadcap accreditation process, which resulted in an exceptional result of zero-findings, we look forward to strengthening our offerings in fracture mechanics in future.”

KR Curve and Kapp panel fracture testing focuses on the determination of a material’s resistance to fracture under a static and continuous loading rate. The process records the toughness development during ever-increasing applied stress intensity. The testing capability was developed by Element’s in-house experts and provides reporting for clients.


About Element: 
Element is a company with a global presence; its laboratories are staffed by experts specializing in materials testing, product qualification testing and failure analysis for the Aerospace & Defense, Oil & Gas and Transportation and Industrials sectors. Element’s team of 1,540 scientists, engineers and technicians work in 43 laboratories located throughout the U.S. and Europe. For a complete list of Accreditations & Approvals and more information, please visit www.element.com.


Media Contact: 

Alison Dwyer or David Savage, Smith & Smith PR Ltd., tell: +44 161 927 9487, e-mail: Element@smithandsmithpr.co.uk.

“The dramatic reduction in lead times allows us to serve our clients faster, to the same high standards.”

Rick Sluiters

evp, Aerospace 7 defense