Steelhead Composites is not just committed to manufacturing excellence — quality is our essence. We offer an extensive range of testing services, including Pressure Vessel Testing, Cycle Testing, Hydrostatic Burst Testing, and Material Testing Services. These aren't mere procedures; they embody our dedication to delivering products of the highest caliber, ensuring unparalleled safety and precision. Choose Steelhead Composites for industry-leading, thorough testing standards.

Photo of prototype testing
Pressure Vessel Testing
  • Proof pressures up to an astounding 1634 Bar (23,700 psi)
  • Direct Expansion (DE) volumetric data meticulously recorded
  • We accommodate vessels up to 457 mm (18 in) in outer diameter and 3353 mm (11 ft) in length
  • External pressure testing capability up to 68 Bar (1,000 psi) size limited to 558 mm (22 in) in diameter x 1270 mm (15 in) in length
Photo of cycle testing
Cycle Testing
  • Precise control with pressures ranging from 200 to 10,000 psi (13 to 689 Bar)
  • Achieve 0.25% full-scale pressure accuracy
  • Conduct holds from 0 to 60 seconds at target or minimum pressure
  • Maximum flow rate of 7.3 gallons per minute (27.6 liters per minute)
  • Attain a maximum cycle rate of 10 cycles per minute, with rate dependent on vessel expansion and volume
  • Electronic temperature monitoring
  • Multiple vessel cycling capability, dependent on vessel size and volume
  • High-pressure, high-volume cycle tester (coming Fall 2025)
Photo of a burst testing rig at Steelhead Composites
Hydrostatic Burst Testing
  • Pressure range from 0 to 30,000 psi (2068 Bar)
  • Burst chamber accommodates a wide range of lengths and diameters
  • Strain gage mounting and data acquisition system availability
  • Continuous pressure vs. strain data capability
Photo of materials testing
Material Testing Services
  • Equipped with a 2,200 lb (10 kN) Instron Load Frame
  • Apply strain gauges and achieve high-speed data acquisition
  • Conduct mechanical testing compliant with ASTM Standards, including ASTM D4018 and ASTM D638.
  • Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) for materials analysis
  • Utilize a Portable CMM with a Ceramic Probe accurate to 0.0006 in (0.1524 mm)
  • Employ a 3D Scanning Laser Line Probe accurate to 0.0014 in (0.03556 mm), ensuring complex geometry verification to CAD standards
Leak Testing
  • Tests typically performed using 95% N2 and 5% He gas at vessel working pressure
  • Leak test vacuum chamber can accommodate vessels 28 in. (711 mm) in diameter x 8 ft. (2.44 m) in length
  • Leybold Trivac D 90L vacuum pump
  • LACO and Leybold Mass Spectrometer Leak Detectors capable of measuring Helium or Hydrogen leaks
  • Leak rate measurements down to 4.93 x 10-12 scc/s (5 x10-12 mbar L/s)
  • Sniffer probe for detecting leaking fittings/joints