Optical strain gages are unbeatable for sustained load tests

HBM’s optical strain gages (SG) now have an improved fatigue life; 10 million load cycles at an alternating strain of ±3.000µm/m can be attained. This makes the sensors unbeatable compared with available alternatives when sustained loading is tested, for example, on fiber-reinforced plastics at high alternating strain.

Optical strain gages are particularly suitable for measurement in potentially explosive areas and on high-current and high-voltage components. The relative wavelength variation resulting from a mechanical strain is linear over a strain range of more than ±10.000 µm/m.

Based on fiber Bragg gratings, several sensors can be arranged inside a single glass fiber to significantly reduce installation costs.

Optical strain gages are still being tested to VDI/VDE 2635 – the standard for electrical strain gages, because optical strain gages have not yet been standardized.