Instron®, a leading provider or testing equipment solutions designed to evaluate mechanical properties of materials and components, introduces the new precision manual wedge grips that provide reliable gripping for a range of materials, as well as repeatable alignment that meets Nadcap requirements.
Available in two capacities – 100 kN (22,000 lbf) and 250 kN (56,000 lbf) – the robust manual wedge action self-centering grips are ideal for demanding tensile tests on composites, metals, and plastics over a range of temperatures: -80 to +250° C (-112 to +482° F).
The grips incorporate a moving body, driven by a worm gear drive, which closes the jaw faces together, in a self-centering action to clamp the specimen. Furthermore, the symmetrical construction of the grip body provides even clamping of the specimen under load. Together, these features ensure accurate and repeatable specimen alignment, satisfying Nadcap AC7122-1 and AC7101.
A range of accessories, including compression platens with lockable spherical seats, are available to attach specialized test fixtures to the grips. This means that a user can re-configure a testing machine for different test types without needing to remove the grips. Also available are a range of jaw faces and a compatible temperature chamber.