Zwick has introduced its new universal HIT5.5P pendulum impact tester for Charpy, Izod, tensile impact and Dynstat tests on plastics
Helmut Fahrenholz, Zwick's industry manager for plastics, explained that "With this machine we can reach out to those customers who currently test to ASTM Standards".
"Our main advantage is the high manufacturing quality and the innovative design, ensuring the highest level of integrity and traceability of results ever seen in such instruments".
Within ASTM, notched test-pieces resulting in low impact energies are very common.
This enables testing of the majority of thermosetting and thermoplastic materials within the instruments energy range of 5.5Joule.
ASTM recommends the use of the lightest standard pendulum should be chosen.
This means that the test instrument can be quite small compared to ISO, where the heaviest standard pendulum should be chosen to minimize the speed of impact.
Building on more than 50 years of experience in producing impact testing machines, Zwick's new HIT5.5P conforms and exceeds requirements of the International Standards.
Zwick Pendulum Impact Testers are often used as reference machines due to their heavy frame and stable construction resulting in very high accuracy and reliability.
The base plate of the machine is manufactured from a vibration-reducing cast material, and three heavy duty machine mounts with lock nuts provide a firm base and necessary leveling capability.
The major weakness of small pendulum hammers on the market today is the inability to concentrate all of the force at the point of impact due to the weight of the pendulum arm.
Compound-type pendulums also lack stiffness in the perpendicular direction.
Zwick has once again proven its innovative strengths by pioneering the world's first low vibration pendulum using carbon double-suspension rods for the HIT5.5P.
In order to meet the requirements of the ASTM and ISO standards, it is often necessary to change pendulum hammers.
Zwick has made the operation of the impact testing much easier by reducing the time and effort required to change hammers.
This can be done without tools or screws.
To reduce the likelihood of errors when changing pendulums, the HIT5.5P has an integrated pendulum recognition system (PRS).
This guarantees that no two pendulum sizes or tests will ever be confused with one another.
It also guarantees the traceability, reliability, and correct documentation of the test results whenever different pendulums are used.
The clamping force of the Izod vice may directly influence the test results.
Zwick has developed two solutions: A manual vise using a precision threaded spindle which ensures that the torque is transferred directly to the specimen without friction losses, and a pneumatic vise where the clamping force can be regulated and which is very comfortable to use.
These vises also incorporate a centering device to ensure that the specimen is positioned at the correct height.
In order to make sure that the radii and relief meet the very high tolerances required in the Standards, Zwick manufactures the supports and abutments using a CNC process in their own factory.
A high quality disc brake is available as an option.
This has a locking function which means that the pendulum can be held securely in one position during tool changes.
As with most other Zwick products, the market leading testing software testXpert II, is totally integrated.
Test results can be automatically captured, statistically evaluated, logged as graphics or tables, administered and also transferred to other computer systems or application programs.
In summary the HIT5.5P is an affordable - yet highly accurate and adaptable impact tester.
It has many unique and innovative design features which will greatly benefit users both in research and development as well as in production control environments.
This impact testing instrument covers the following standards for energies up to 5.5 J: ISO 179-1, ISO 180, ISO 8256, ASTM D 256, ASTM D 4812, ASTM D 6110, ASTM D 1822, DIN 53435.
