Static and Dynamic Testing for Medical Devices

What Is Static and Dynamic Testing for Medical Devices?

Static and dynamic testing are essential techniques in the mechanical evaluation of medical devices and biomaterials. These testing methods are used to determine how materials and components behave under different types of mechanical stress, enabling manufacturers to ensure the safety, performance, and durability of their devices.

What's the Difference Between Static and Dynamic Testing?

While both testing methods apply mechanical force to a material, they differ significantly in approach and purpose:

• Static testing subjects a material to a steadily increasing load until it either reaches a defined deformation point or fails completely. This method is used to understand how a material performs under sustained or long-term pressure.
• Dynamic testing (often referred to as fatigue testing), in contrast, applies repeated stress at defined frequencies. This allows us to simulate real-world usage conditions and fatigue, assessing how a material holds up over thousands or even millions of cycles.

What Static and Dynamic Testing for Medical Devices Do We Perform?

Applus+ Laboratories performs a complete range of static and dynamic mechanical tests for medical devices. Static testing is usually performed first to gather baseline data and determine key parameters that will inform the subsequent dynamic (fatigue) testing protocols. These tests are aligned with industry standards and regulatory protocols and can also be tailored to meet custom testing requirements for novel or high-risk devices. At Applus+, we are always applying the latest versions of standards, and we are evolving our equipment and testing methods according to the very latest amendments.

Static Testing

Our static testing services are carried out using universal testing machines capable of generating precise levels of force and speed. We apply tensile, torsion, compression, or flexural forces (as well as combined forces) to measure how materials react under linear, unidirectional, or multidirectional stresses. Key metrics we assess include:

• Modulus of elasticity (material stiffness)
• Yield point (onset of permanent deformation)
• Ultimate tensile strength (maximum stress before failure)
• Elongation at break
• Flexural modulus (resistance to bending)

To ensure accuracy and repeatability, we pay close attention to sample orientation, clamping methods, and load applications. Any misalignment, especially with brittle materials, can skew results. That's why all tests are conducted by experienced engineers using high-precision machines with real-time force and displacement monitoring. Our commitment to metrology and calibration, in accordance with ISO 17025 standards, guarantees the reliability of every result.

Dynamic Testing

Dynamic testing simulates the effects of long-term mechanical stress by subjecting materials to cyclical loads over time. Our fatigue testing machines subject materials to specific stress ranges repeatedly until the material cracks and ultimately fails or simply complies with a specific standard requirement. This allows us to determine how many load cycles it can handle.

Our fatigue testing services are designed to reflect actual use conditions or comply to a specific standard, allowing us to predict product longevity and performance. We use advanced fatigue testing machines capable of:

• Applying different combinations of torsion, flexion, and tension cycles to mimic the material’s specific purpose within the tested device.
• Varying stress levels and frequencies.
• Mimicking use-specific strain patterns.

What Are the Benefits of Static and Dynamic Testing?

Incorporating both static and dynamic mechanical testing into your quality assurance process provides a number of key advantages:

• Improved Performance and Reliability: Understand how materials behave under both constant and cyclical loading, ensuring devices remain functional over time.
• Regulatory Compliance: Meet the stringent demands of medical device standards, including ISO and ASTM, with validated test data.
• Enhanced Patient Safety: Identify and mitigate mechanical failure risks before market launch, especially for implantables or load-bearing devices.
• Predictive Product Development: Use fatigue life and failure mode analysis to improve design robustness and extend product lifespan.
• Customised Validation: Create realistic, use-specific test scenarios that reflect the actual conditions of device usage.

Why Choose Applus+ Laboratories for Static and Dynamic Testing?

Applus+ Laboratories provides comprehensive mechanical testing solutions, including static and dynamic testing, tailored to the unique demands of medical device manufacturers. We combine high-performance equipment, certified protocols, and technical expertise to support your product from early-stage development through to final validation.

We offer:

• Fully instrumented static and dynamic test benches
• Real-time monitoring and detailed failure analysis
• Custom test design for novel or high-risk applications
• Expert interpretation and reporting for regulatory submission
• ISO and ASTM-compliant protocols
• The capacity to manufacture all kind of fixtures and tools
• In certain cases, the capacity of manufacture even the prototypes

Our international network and dedicated medical device teams ensure that you receive consistent, high-quality testing services with fast turnaround times and tailored support throughout your product development lifecycle.

Let Applus+ Laboratories be your partner for reliable, expert-driven mechanical testing of medical devices. We’re here to help you deliver safe, high-performance products to market—confidently and compliantly.