The HDT3 HDT/Vicat is a computerised system for testing samples of plastics and similar materials to determine their softening points and heat-distortion temperatures as a function of temperature.
The instrument consists of six test stations, each equipped with an LVDT precision displacement transducer attached to a standard probe that sits on the sample; a pre-determined load may be applied to each probe.
The specimen frames are made of Invar for low linear expansion.
The samples are immersed in an oil bath - the temperature of which is controlled by the purpose-written Windows PC software application.
The bath temperature is ramped up at a pre-programmed rate and the output of the displacement transducers is recorded.
The maximum temperature achievable with the standard instrument is 300C, though a version is available for temperatures to 400C.
The HDT3 can raise the temperature of the bath at rates up to 50C/hr or 2C/min.
A high-temperature cut-out alarm is fitted to the heater circuitry.
The HDT3 software is preprogrammed to carry out tests to ASTM D648, ASTM D1525, ISO 75 and ISO 306 standards.
The software can handle multiple HDT3 systems and enables one operator to carry out multiple tests with maximum efficiency.
