Material Testing Equipment

Thwing-Albert Instrument Company specializes in precision testing machines used to measure the physical properties of materials. This catalog allows for a quick review of materials testing product research to learn more about how we can assist in your testing needs.

The precision testing equipment offered by Thwing-Albert Instrument Company can be used to measure the physical properties of a wide range of materials including applications for adhesives, corrugated, foil/metal, food packaging, ink/graphic arts, medical, nonwovens, packaging, paper, paperboard, plastic film, pulp, rigid plastic, rubber foam, paper tissue and textiles.

If you need to test in accordance to industry standards such as ASTM, ISO, TAPPI, INDA, NWSP and many others this is the right place to start. Click on the categories in the list below to browse the products featured in our online catalog.

In addition to our equipment and accessory lines, we provide service to our customers in the following areas:

  • Installation: We can help you get up and running by delivering turnkey installation of your material testing lab equipment and training your company’s employees in its use.
  • Preventive maintenance: Our technicians can inspect, calibrate and maintain your testing equipment to ensure compliance with our highest standards of quality and reliability.
  • Repair services: We have you covered if any equipment or parts require reconditioning, rebuilding or repairing. Our skilled technicians are among the most qualified in the industry.

Universal Materials Testing Equipment for Sale

Thwing-Albert material testing laboratory equipment is among the most powerful, reliable and durable the industry has to offer. Our two flagship testing frames — the VantageNX Tensile Testing Machine and the QC-3A Universal Testing Machine — can be built to suit a wide range of testing applications to measure tensile strength, flexural strength, compressive strength, tear and peel, puncture and burst resistance, coefficient of friction (COF), sheer strength and the like.

Both testing frames/materials testers use the most modern technology available and feature easy-to-use controls. The footprints of the smaller models allow for integration into areas with limited space. The VantageNX utilizes our MAP4™ materials testing software for increased testing capabilities, while the QC-3A provides integrated firmware to support common test procedures. Both units can accommodate our extensive line of grips and fixtures. 

Testing Software

Our MAP4â„¢ Materials Testing Software has been designed to integrate with and process data from the majority of Thwing-Albert’s testing equipment, including the universal tensile testers. The software is compatible with Windows operating systems and features an extensive library of pre-loaded industry standards that meet various testing specifications and applications. It provides a platform to furnish comprehensive data analysis for standard and custom tests, including tensile, compression, peel/tear, adhesion, burst/puncture and COF.

Some of the primary features of MAP4â„¢ include:

  • Graphical test results in real time
  • Customizable testing parameters and presentation templates
  • Concise, comprehensive analysis through tracked variables
  • Group statistics for comparative analysis
  • Integrated measurement conversion
  • Data archiving and retrieval
  • Data export
  • Free technical support for one year included with the system

Grips and Fixtures

One of the most critical factors in material testing is selecting the proper grips or fixtures to secure your sample in place during a quality test. Choosing the correct fixture ensures proper alignment, accurate force range ratings, adequate flexibility and prevention of slippage. Regardless of the type of testing equipment you use, selecting the right fixtures and grips is vital to achieving accurate analysis.

Some of the factors to consider when selecting the best-suited grips and fixtures are:

  • Type of material being tested
  • Specimen dimensions such as width, thickness and length
  • Anticipated strength of the specimen
  • Pneumatic or mechanical operation

Our engineering team recommends using pneumatic grips whenever possible, as they will provide consistent clamping pressure to ensure repeatable results throughout the testing process. We offer jaw options for grips consisting of serrated, smooth, line contact and rubber coverings. All our grips and fixtures are compatible with our universal testing equipment and are adaptable to many types of testing machines from other manufacturers.

Sample Cutters and Preparation

Having the ability to produce accurate specimens is an essential part of the materials testing process. Some specimen requirements involve cutting corrugated cartons to perform bursting strength, compression and drop testing, while others require careful preparation of textiles and other delicate paper products. At Thwing-Albert, we offer a full line of specimen preparation/cutters to cover all those needs.

Our tools allow you to make quality specimens that yield consistent results while keeping efficiency and safety in mind. For sample applications requiring complex shapes, we offer press-style cutters utilizing interchangeable cutting dies. For plastics applications, we offer heat sealers that pair with our equipment to prep specimens for seal strength testing.

Our engineering team is available to provide you with assistance for any technical questions involving the best method to prepare and hold specimens in place for testing.

Industry Standards

ASTM, ISO, TAPPI, NWSP and other standards are the guides at the core of evaluating and testing the quality of the physical properties of various manufacturing materials for many industries around the world. These standards ensure that all testing is performed in a uniform manner to ensure repeatability and comparison between labs. At Thwing-Albert, our materials testing equipment can be configured to meet many of the most common standards across various industries. 

For a complete list of standards according to product category, visit our industry standards page.

Choosing Thwing-Albert as Your Trusted Materials Testing Equipment Supplier

For more than 12 decades, Thwing-Albert has been held in high regard in the materials testing industry. Quality control departments and research laboratories worldwide rely on the highly accurate performance and longevity of our testing equipment. We can handle all your material testing needs, from paper products to plastic packaging to nonwovens and everything in between.

To learn more about how our products and services can benefit your application, call us at (856) 767-1000 or contact us online today.Â