500 lb Tensile Tester – Mark-10 F505-EM Test Frame

A compact 500 lbf test frame that covers most plastics, rubber, packaging and medical-device tests

The Mark-10 F505-EM is a single-column motorized test frame rated for 500 lbF (2.2 kN) in tension and compression. It gives a QC lab or R&D bench repeatable, standards-based results without the cost, floor space or training that a full floor-standing universal testing machine needs. Universal Grip supplies the frame configured for your test: the right force sensor, the grips or fixtures, and the EasyMESUR® functions your standard calls for.

 

Built for repeatable results

The frame uses a custom stiff extrusion, a stepper motor, a ballscrew and a linear guideway. Mark-10 rates speed accuracy at ±0.2% of setting with virtually no variation with load and position accuracy at ±0.006 in [0.15 mm] at any load or position. The force sensor samples at 5,000 Hz, so short events such as a peel peak, a seal burst or a brittle break are captured instead of averaged away.

 

EasyMESUR® touchscreen control: buy only the functions you need

Setup, frame control and data collection run from a 7-inch EasyMESUR® touchscreen. Functions are licensed one at a time, so a simple pass/fail fixture test stays inexpensive while a full ASTM lab gets distance measurement, break detection, cycling, load holding, graphing and reporting, and PC control. The frame ships in a 160-hour evaluation mode with every function unlocked, so you can confirm what your procedure needs before you buy it.

 

Fast enough for O-rings, slow enough for creep-sensitive materials

The standard speed range is 0.5–13 in/min [13–330 mm/min]. The optional speed extensions widen it to 0.02–45 in/min [0.5–1,100 mm/min], which covers the 500 mm/min that ASTM D1414 sets for rubber O-rings and the 500 mm/min used for ASTM D412 rubber dumbbells. Above 24 in/min [610 mm/min] the capacity is limited to 300 lbF [1.3 kN].

 

What it tests

• Plastics: tensile tests on thin and unfilled plastics to ASTM D638 and film to ASTM D882, plus three-point flexural tests to ASTM D790 with a bend fixture.

• Rubber and elastomers: O-ring tensile tests to ASTM D1414, dumbbell tensile tests to ASTM D412, and foam compression to ASTM D575.

• Adhesives, tapes and packaging: peel tests such as ASTM D903 and ASTM D1876 T-peel, and seal strength to ASTM F88.

• Components and medical devices: pull-off, insertion, crimp, spring and puncture tests with puncture fixtures or custom fixtures.

 

Is 500 lbF the right capacity?

Pick the capacity from your strongest specimen, then add margin. A Type I ASTM D638 bar of a 50 MPa unfilled plastic (13 mm × 3.2 mm) breaks at about 2.1 kN, which is close to the 2.2 kN limit. Glass-filled plastics, thick sections, metals and Type III bars need a larger frame such as the 750 lb or 1,500 lb tensile tester or a universal testing machine. For peel, seal, O-ring and component tests, 500 lbF leaves plenty of headroom. Not sure? Send us your specimen and standard and we will size the system for you.

 

Configured and supported by Universal Grip

The force sensor is sold separately so the load range matches your test. The Series FS05 sensor mounts directly to the crosshead; the Series FS06 S-beam sensor is the better choice for heavy grips. We match the sensor to the wedge grips, vise grips, roller grips, compression platens or bend fixtures your test needs, and we can supply adapters so existing fixtures fit. Compare this frame with a full UTM in our guide Mark-10 test frame vs. universal testing machine.