New Drop Weight Testers for Engineering Resins and Composites

Zwick USA  is launching the Amsler HIT line of drop weight testers, which feature an energy range of a few joules up to 100,000 joules, supporting tests on specimens, as well as components. These systems are especially well suited for testing engineering plastics and thermoplastic composites. HIT1100F and HIT2000F units boast rapid changeovers through ergonomic features such as an integrated T-slot platform. It enables flexible fixture positioning to secure components and support a wide range of tests.

The HIT600F tester is said to address requirements for instrumented multi-axial puncture tests, according to ISO 6603-2 and ASTM D3763, but also a number of international specifications in the automotive industry that now stipulate slower speeds and call for relatively large drop weights. It also supports compression after impact (CAI) tests, Charpy, and Izod tests. Pre-tempered test plates can be inserted and impacted in less than five seconds, eliminating the need for a temperature chamber in many cases.

Finally, model HIT230F, with a maximum impact velocity of 4.4 m/s and drop weights between 2 and 23 kg, is reportedly optimal for puncture tests to ISO 6603-2 and CAI pre-damaging to a variety of standards. It is said to be ideal for high-volume testing, as the test area is accessible and test series can be performed rapidly.

Zwick will also exhibit its complete range of testing machines and instruments including: a 10 kN AllroundLine universal testing machine, Aflow and Mflow melt flow indexers, a 5.5 J pendulum impact tester, and a zwickiLine testing machine, as well as its testXpert III testing software—an intelligent, workflow-based software that minimizes operator training requirements.