PLASTIC TENSILE TEST SPECIMENS
Plastic Tensile Test Specimens
We produce a comprehensive selection of plastic tensile test specimens which can be employed in various modules within University and College courses.
Facilities for repeatedly producing good quality specimens in-house are not always available, and even if they are, it may not always be practical, cost-effective or convenient to use them.
Buying them from Material Testing could be the simpler option!
About Plastics Testing
The selection and testing of plastics is important for any product, from bio-medical items, consumer items such as white goods, lap tops, computers and peripherals, all forms of transportation vehicles, and in building & construction.
Manufacturers are continually searching for materials and processes which improve the product, and reduce costs.
A common theme to using plastics is the increasing demand for high strength versus weight ratios, for example; to reduce fuel consumption in all areas of transportation, (including deliveries of consumer goods).
Measuring all of this is the job of the materials engineer, who will be involved in every area; Product Design and Enhancement, Quality and Process Control, and Research & Development. It’s a fascinating and vitally important job and the road towards it begins in the classroom.
Good quality plastic specimens are essential to achieving accurate, reproducible test results when determining the mechanical properties of the material.
However, to ensure valid and consistent test results, certain criteria should be met;
- The test specimen shape and dimensions should be in accordance with a recognised standard (BS EN ISO 6892, ASTM E8)
- Use a calibrated tensile test machine (tensometer) of sufficient load and displacement capacity with means to record the X-Y data
- Choose suitable specimen holders giving good alignment throughout the test
- Maintain a constant speed of test throughout
Courses where our test specimens can be used
Buying them from Material Testing could be the simpler option!
Our range of plastic tensile test specimens (known in some trades as coupons) are injection-moulded in 1 size, dumbell/dog-bone shape, generally to ISO 527, and colour-coded for identification (see dimensions):
- Low Density Polyethylene (YELLOW)
Moulded laboratory items, dispensing bottles, tubing, plastic bags, containers, trays - High Density Polyethylene (RED)
Car fuel tanks, toys, milk/water/fruit juice bottles - Polystyrene (CLEAR)
Disposable cutlery/dinnerware, CD jewel cases, smoke detector housings - Toughened Polystyrene (BLUE)
Point of sale and other display signs, packaging, low strength structural - Nylon 66 (WHITE)
Ropes, conveyor belts, tyre cords, generally in all sectors - Glass-filled Nylon 66 (BLACK)
Couplings. fixings, gear wheels, generally in all sectors - Polycarbonate (GREEN)
Vandal-proof glazing, safety helmets and glasses, mobile phone cases - Polypropylene (BROWN)
Washing machine drums, laboratory equipment, crates, luggage, bank notes - Acrylic Polymer (ORANGE)
Optical lenses, automotive lighting covers, incubators - Acetal Copolymer (PURPLE)
Gears, TVs, zippers, locks, hinges, electrical connectors - ABS Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (STONE GREY)
Thin-walled mouldings, domestic appliances, pipes and fittings
These are our standard plastics but we also have experience of others such as Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) and Polyphenylene Sulphide (PPS).
If you are an academic, student, laboratory technician or a workshop manager, or if you work for procurement, tasked with finding a supplier of test specimens, contact us by email or call us on 02036335415.