Extensometers test plastics and rubbers

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Nov 10, 2005

Two versatile, new general-purpose contacting extensometers perform accurate extension measurement of materials such as plastics and rubbers, including tension and compression testing.

Two versatile, new general-purpose contacting extensometers have been launched by Lloyd Instruments for the accurate extension measurement of materials such as plastics and rubbers.

They can be used in both tension and compression testing.

Designed for use with any of the company's EZ and Plus Series of materials testing machines, these 'plug and play' accessories have a single cable interconnection and will be automatically recognised by Lloyd Instruments NEXYGEN MT material test and analysis software for ease of operation and calibration.

The two new models, the EX250Plus and EX800Plus, provide increased travel over previous models of up to 250mm and 800mm respectively.

They will test high elongation materials to yield and break with automatic plotting of a stress strain curve.

Using optical encoders, the extensometers offer an accuracy of 0.5%, in full accordance with ISO 9513: 2002.

Both versions can be solidly mounted either on the machine's anchor pin or on the side of the instrument to provide easy sample fitting and give the best ergonomic testing position.

When mounted on the anchor pin the unit can be rotated from side to side for best possible access to the test area.

Different sized grips and samples can be fitted as the unit has both horizontal and vertical adjustments allowing it to be moved away while the sample is fitted to the grip and then moved back to engage with the sample.

Samples up to 12mm thicknesses can be accommodated in the standard configuration, but this can be increased to 25mm by easy adjustment of the extensometer arms.

The arms can also be locked open to simplify attachment to the sample.

Straight and round knife-edges are supplied as standard for attachment to different types of sample.

Rubber buffers help absorb impact loads from sudden sample break.