An ADMET 7601 single column frame equipped with an eP2 touch panel controller and eccentric roller grips can be used to accurately run ASTM D412 to measure tensile strength and elongation.

Bend testing (also flex or flexural testing) is commonly performed to measure the flexural strength and modulus of all types of materials and products.  This test is performed on a universal testing machine (tensile testing machine or tensile tester) with a 3 point or 4 point bend fixture.  Most common for product testing is the 3 point test.

ASTM D638 is one of the most common plastic strength specifications and covers the tensile properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics.  This test method uses standard "dumbell" or "dogbone" shaped specimens under 14mm of thickness.  A universal testing machine (tensile testing machine) is needed to perform this test.  If you are going to perform this test, you should read the entire specification from ASTM. This is a quick summary to decide if this test is right for you, and to point out what equipment you need to perform the test.

Hook and loop (often times referred to by the trade name Velcro) fasteners are commonly tested through both a Peel Strength "T" Method (ASTM D5170) and Shear Strength Dynamic Method (ASTM D5169).  Hook and loop fasteners are also used in applications where separation occurs purely in the tension direction.  This video shows a test where an adhesive backed hook and loop fastener is adhered to a pair of compression platens mounted to a universal testing machine (tensile testing machine).  The test has been designed so that in one test the hook and loop is loaded to 1 pound of force and then retracted to measure the bonding strength.  It then continues to load to 10 pounds of force, then retract, then load to 20 pounds, then retract, and so on until 80 pounds of force.  After the test is completed, the strength can be measured by analyzing the test report with load on the "Y" axis and time on the "X" axis.

ASTM D412 ( D 412 ) covers the tensile properties of thermoset rubbers and thermoplastic elastomers. The specification describes two test methods, A and B. Method A is common and can be performed on a universal testing machine (tensile testing machine). If you are going to perform this test, you should read the entire specification from ASTM. This is a quick summary to decide if this test is right for you, and to point out what equipment you need to perform the test.

This video shows a 90 degree adhesive peel strength test on an ADMET eXpert 7601 universal testing machine (tensile testing machine).  We fit the eXpert 7601 with our 90 degree peel strength fixture and one vise grip on the top crosshead to hold the free end of the tape.  The fixture has numerous tapped holes that allow you to clamp a multitude of various parts and substrates to the test bed.  This test measures the maximum load and also the average load of adhesive tape bonded to a Polystyrene foam substrate.  The average was taken after 1" of displacement and continued through 6" of displacement.  Usually, the highest force is observed at the beginning of a peel test and then it levels out throughout the remainder of the test.  Starting the average force calculation after 1" removed the "starting force" from the average calculation.

One of the most common specifications that our customers follow is ASTM D882 which is the Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting. This test is very similar to the common ASTM D638 test whereby plastic material is pulled until in breaks in order to measure elongation, tensile modulus, tensile yield strength, and tensile strength at break. However, it is designed specifically for thin sheeting and film less than 1 mm (0.04") thick. 

This test measures the force required to close a lid on a travel coffee mug.  We used our eXpert 2610 universal testing machine to perform the test, but it would have worked just as well with one of our smaller single column eXpert 7601 or eXpert 5601 testers.

This test stretches plastic medical catheter tubing until it fractures to measure its maximum elongation and tensile strength.  We used our high elongation / low force eXpert 7601 single column testing machine equipped with a pair of bollard grips that are designed to hold tubular and cord type products in tension tests without creating premature breakage caused when using standard vise or wedge grips.

A 3.5 Gallon HDPE bucket is compressed to measure peak closure force of the lid and peak force sustained by the bucket before it buckles.