New short clamping-length hydraulic specimen grips

Standard specimen grips are increasingly being called upon to grip and hold short specimens and short clamped lengths. These innovative specimen grips from Zwick, designed specifically for applications of this type, simplify tests on sintered and hard-metal specimens and other high-strength materials. In some cases this is the first time such tests have been possible.

The hydraulic specimen grips close symmetrically, with reliable precision mechanical guidance for the two hydraulic actuators. This patented system actively counters the high turning moments which short clamped lengths impose on guides and actuators, enabling parallel, uniform gripping of short specimen heads and clamping lengths throughout the test. In addition, the system automatically ensures accurate alignment in the test and load axis.

The new design allows the grips to be used in all types of test – tensile, compression and alternating load with zero crossing. This naturally includes standard tensile tests on standard specimens (flat and round). This range of grips is designed for tensile tests up to 250 kN,  the smallest grips being rated for a maximum of 50 kN.

More information about grips.