Nondestructive experimental determination of bimaterial rectangular cantilever spring constants in water

Journal Article · Fri Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2008 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2969031· OSTI ID:21124118

Snow, David E; Kim, Dae Jung; Hope-Weeks, Louisa J ^[1]; Weeks, Brandon L; Pitchimani, Rajasekar ^[2]

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1. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409 (United States)
2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409 (United States)

In order to address the issue of spring constant calibration in viscous fluids such as water, a new method is presented that allows for the experimental calibration of bimaterial cantilever spring constants. This method is based on modeling rectangular cantilever beam bending as a function of changing temperature. The temperature change is accomplished by heating water as it flows around the cantilever beams in an enclosed compartment. The optical static method of detection is used to measure the deflection of cantilever at the free end. Experimentally determined results are compared to Sader's method and to the Thermotune method most commonly used in cantilever calibrations. Results indicate that the new bimaterial thermal expansion method is accurate within 15%-20% of the actual cantilever spring constant, which is comparable to other nondestructive calibration techniques.

• OSTI ID: 21124118
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 79; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
BEAMS
BENDING
CALIBRATION
HEATING
SIMULATION
SPRINGS
THERMAL EXPANSION
WATER