PLASTICS

01 2712-041 pneumatic side-action grips

02 2630-100 Series clip-on extensometer with 2716-010 mechanical wedge-action grips

03 AVE 2 Advanced video extensomer and 2712-041 pneumatic side-action grips

Grips and Fixtures

Tension testing can be accomplished with 2710 Series screw action, 2712 Series pneumatic action or 2716 Series wedge action tensile grips. For most rigid plastics, serrated jaw faces work effectively. For softer materials, we recommend rubber-coated jaw faces. Plastic film may also be tested using line contact jaw faces or the specially developed 2713-006 thin film grips.

Bend and flexure tests may be performed using 2810 Series flexure fixtures. Three or four-point configurations are available. For accurate center point deflection measurement, we suggest using the optional deflectometers.

Compression anvils and platens are available in a range of sizes and designs including optional spherical seatings for optimum alignment. Deflectometers can also be used in conjunction with compression anvils to provide accurate strain measurement.

Extensometry

Extensometers are frequently used in tensile testing of plastics. Rigid or semi-rigid materials can use 2630 or 2620 Series clip-on extensometers, and our 2630-123 extensometer features a 75 mm gauge length in accordance with ISO 527-2. Materials showing elongations over 100% can use the 2603 Series long travel extensometer, AutoX750, AVE 2, or SVE 2. The 2665-750 automatic extensometer is an ideal solution for meeting the requirements of ISO 527 and ISO 178 for rigid, semi-rigid and high elongation polymers. In non-contact strain measurement applications, where the specimen is too fragile for contacting methods or is in an environmental chamber, the advanced video extensometer 2 (AVE 2) or standard video extensometer 2 (SVE 2) is an ideal choice.

Environmental

Testing at non-ambient temperatures is readily achieved using 3119 Series environmental chambers. Pull rods, push rods and a range of suitable high/low temperature grips, such as 2732 Series pneumatic and 2736 Series wedge tensile grips, are available.

Software

Software for static testing of plastics is provided by Bluehill Universal or Bluehill Elements. Fatigue tests can be performed using dynamic software programs, such as WaveMatrix™.