Characterization of mechanical properties such as Young’s modulus, shear strain, viscosity and fracture toughness is very important in the development process of new alloys and composite materials. Researchers typically carry out many different measurements like tensile displacement tests, compression tests and fatigue tests using extensometer and split-Hopkinson bars setups. Infrared imaging allows to characterize the energy released by the investigated material as it undergoes elastic and plastic deformation up to the fracture point.
