Puncture and Penetration Testing for Texture Analysis and Materials Testing

What is a puncture/penetration test?

In a penetration/puncture test a probe is made to penetrate into the test sample and the force necessary to achieve a certain penetration depth or the depth of penetration in a specified time, under defined conditions, is measured and used as an index of e.g. hardness, firmness, toughness.

Both test principles cause an irreversible change in the sample and assume that the sample being investigated is of larger area than the contact area of the probe in use; a sample smaller than the probe contact area would assume compression principles.

Avery adhesion test and testing salmon
samples with ball probes.

The higher the force reading (or the smaller the penetration depth – if measuring in constant force), the more resistant is the material.

The probe used has a smaller diameter than the surface of the sample usually employs cylinders (2mm-10mm in diameter), cones, ball probes or needles. 

Ball probes are recommended where the surface of the sample is not flat or the sample is extremely thin.

Small puncture probes are recommended for assessment of rupture force.

Puncture test of a capsule using a cylinder probe.

Puncture/penetration is a suitable test for those products that are not-self supporting or are contained.

Penetration testing of various samples using hemispherical and cylinder probes

Penetration may sometimes be the only possible means of testing a hard product if the force capacity is limited.

Testing samples using needle and cylinder probes 

Small puncture/penetration probes are recommended for the testing of multiple structure products e.g. measuring skin/crust/coatings and continuing to test the underlying material.

Hemispherical probes are recommended for imitating a finger when assessing actuation force.

Using multiple penetration probes within a test is recommended for products with variable structure either due to nature (fruits, vegetables, meat) or design (marmalade, petfood, confectionery).

To view a complete set of puncture/penetration testing probe and fixture options click here

What happens during a puncture/penetration test?

Examples of Puncture/Penetration Testing

To see how to perform puncture and penetration tests using a TA.XTplus Texture Analyser to measure firmness, gel strength, dipping consistency, product toughness, fracture force, 'cake' breaking strength, semi-solid consistency etc., watch this video and see typical puncture and penetration tests in action: 

There is a Texture Analysis test for virtually any physical property. Contact Stable Micro Systems today to learn more about our full range of solutions.

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For more information on how to measure texture, please visit the Texture Analysis Properties section on our website.

The TA.XTplus texture analyser is part of a family of texture analysis instruments and equipment from Stable Micro Systems. An extensive portfolio of specialist attachments is available to measure and analyse the textural properties of a huge range of food products. Our technical experts can also custom design instrument fixtures according to individual specifications.

No-one understands texture analysis like we do!

To discuss your specific test requirements click here...