Fastener Testing

The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), has added another internationally recognised accreditation to its name, having attained ISO 17025 for its mechanical testing laboratory. 

This achievement underscores the centre’s commitment to continuous improvement and meeting the high-quality standards expected by the businesses it helps to overcome manufacturing challenges, as well as become more competitive. 

Awarded by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), the AFRC, which is also part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC) has secured the gold standard for four mechanical testing techniques. ISO 17025 is widely acknowledged as the benchmark of excellence for testing and calibration laboratories, focusing heavily on technical competence. 

Notably, the centre has become the first in the UK to be accredited for elevated compression testing up to 1,100°C as per the National Physical Laboratory’s good practice guide. It has also achieved accreditation for its standards in room temperature compression testing, room temperature tensile testing, as well as elevated temperature tensile testing up to 1,000°C. 

The latest certification adds to the AFRC’s existing ISO 17025 for residual stress analysis, as well as ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 (18001) for creating and maintaining a quality management system and health and safety standards, respectively. 

With numerous years of industry experience, the AFRC’s mechanical testing team demonstrated its technical competency throughout the rigorous benchmarking process. Underpinned by the centre’s leading research, mechanical testing services are available to businesses of all sizes – seeking assistance in checking parts used across a range of sectors from automotive to aerospace.