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ASTM D1004 Cutting Die – Unnicked 90° Angle Tear Specimen (Graves)
Unnicked 90° Angle Tear Specimen (Graves) · Tear initiation specimen — built to ASTM D1004. Hardened steel or economical ribbon steel.
Brand: Universal Grip | Model: / UGC-CDR-D1004 | ● Made to order
Cuts the ASTM D1004 unnicked 90° Angle Tear Specimen (Graves) profile: 101.6 mm overall length
Two styles: hardened steel for 0–5 mm, ribbon steel for 0–3 mm
Integral ejector (hardened) or foam pad (ribbon) pushes each specimen free
Fits manual, pneumatic and hydraulic sample-cutting presses
Free test cuts on your material before you order
Custom profiles, multi-cavity dies and nick/notch features on request
Downloads: Ribbon Steel Die Data Sheet (PDF)
Standards: ASTM D1004 · ASTM D624
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Precision cutting die for ASTM D1004 unnicked 90° Angle Tear Specimen (Graves) specimens
This Universal Grip die cuts the unnicked 90° Angle Tear Specimen (Graves) (tear initiation specimen) defined in ASTM D1004: Standard Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting. ASTM D1004 measures the force required to initiate tearing in flexible plastic film and thin sheeting at very low rates of loading. The 90° angle specimen concentrates stress at the vertex so the tear starts there and runs across the ligament.
We make it in two styles so the die suits the material you cut. The one-piece hardened steel die is machined from a single piece of steel and holds its edge on rigid & semi-rigid plastics, filled compounds, rubber, sheet & film from 0 to 5 mm thick. The ribbon steel (steel-rule) die uses a precision-bent hardened rule in a laser-cut plywood base with a foam ejection pad, an economical choice for rubber, elastomers, TPE, foams, soft plastics & films up to 3 mm. Both cut the same ASTM D1004 profile.
ASTM D1004 specimen dimensions
The die is cut to the nominal profile in ASTM D1004: overall length 101.6 mm, width of tabs 19.05 mm, notch angle 90°, ligament (apex to back edge) 12.7 mm, initial grip separation 25.4 mm and thickness ≤1.0 mm. Always check your current edition of the standard for tolerances and the test procedure.
Where it is used
Typical uses for ASTM D1004 specimens include packaging film, agricultural & construction film, medical film and thin plastic sheeting.
Cutting specimens with the die
The die mounts on a benchtop arbor press with a simple lateral screw; the material sits on a hard nylon cutting plate so every stroke cuts cleanly through. With an adapter, the same die can also cut specimens on your universal testing machine. Send us a sample of your material and we will make test cuts free of charge, so you can confirm the edge quality before you order. Hardened dies can be re-sharpened with our die sharpening tool.
ASTM D1004 Cutting Die Specifications
STANDARD
ASTM D1004
SPECIMEN
Unnicked 90° Angle Tear Specimen (Graves)
SPECIMEN TYPE
Tear initiation specimen
OVERALL LENGTH
101.6 mm
WIDTH OF TABS
19.05 mm
NOTCH ANGLE
90°
LIGAMENT (APEX TO BACK EDGE)
12.7 mm
INITIAL GRIP SEPARATION
25.4 mm
THICKNESS
≤1.0 mm
HARDENED STEEL DIE
One-piece machined steel, 0–5 mm material, integral ejector plate
RIBBON STEEL DIE
Steel rule in plywood base, 0–3 mm material, foam ejection pad
PRESS COMPATIBILITY
Manual, pneumatic & hydraulic sample-cutting presses
PART NUMBERS
(hardened) · UGC-CDR-D1004 (ribbon)
Models & Options
Hardened Steel Cutting Die — One-piece machined, hardened and precision-finished; rigid & semi-rigid plastics, filled compounds, rubber, sheet & film; 0–5 mm; integral ejector plate; re-sharpenable
Ribbon Steel Cutting Die — Precision-bent hardened steel rule in a laser-cut plywood base with closed-cell foam ejection pad; rubber, elastomers, TPE, foams, soft plastics & films; 0–3 mm; economical, fast turnaround (UGC-CDR-D1004)
Press mounting — Matched to your press make and model, or an adapter for your universal testing machine (Specify at order)
Custom features — Custom profiles, multi-cavity dies and nick/notch features on request (Custom)
What's Included
ASTM D1004 cutting die in your chosen style (hardened or ribbon steel)
Specimen ejection: integral ejector plate (hardened) or foam ejection pad (ribbon)
Mounting to suit your press — tell us the make and model
Data sheet with the nominal profile dimensions
Supported Test Standards
ASTM D1004 — Standard Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting
ASTM D624 — Related standard: tear strength of rubber, including the Die C angle specimen
Compatible Grips & Fixtures
Arbor press — Benchtop press for cutting unnicked 90° Angle Tear Specimen (Graves) specimens with this die
Sample die press — Specimen-preparation presses and tools
Pneumatic grips — Even clamping for thin film and sheet without tearing at the jaws
Roller grips — Self-tightening grips for film and flexible sheet
Die sharpening tool — Restore the cutting edge of a hardened steel die
Plastics testing — Grips and fixtures for plastic film, sheet and molded parts
“Customer quote”
Related Equipment
DIN 53363 Cutting Die
Trapezoid Tear Specimen with Incision · specimen width 50 mm, specimen length 120 mm
ASTM D1922 Cutting Die
Elmendorf Tear Specimen · specimen width (along tear) 76 mm, specimen height 63 mm
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ASTM D1004 Cutting Die FAQ
What is the ASTM D1004 test used for?
ASTM D1004 measures the force required to initiate tearing in flexible plastic film and thin sheeting at very low rates of loading. The 90° angle specimen concentrates stress at the vertex so the tear starts there and runs across the ligament.
What are the ASTM D1004 specimen dimensions?
The die cuts the nominal ASTM D1004 profile: overall length 101.6 mm, width of tabs 19.05 mm, notch angle 90°, ligament (apex to back edge) 12.7 mm, initial grip separation 25.4 mm and thickness ≤1.0 mm. These values come from the standard; check your current edition for tolerances.
Hardened steel or ribbon steel: which ASTM D1004 die should I choose?
For thin film and sheeting, the ribbon steel die cuts cleanly at low cost. Choose hardened steel for stiffer or filled sheet, laminates, or high volumes, since its machined edge stays sharp longer and can be re-sharpened.
Which press do I need for the ASTM D1004 die?
The die fits manual, pneumatic and hydraulic sample-cutting presses. On our arbor press it mounts with a lateral screw, and an adapter lets it run on a universal testing machine. Tell us your press make and model and we will match the mounting.
Can you make test cuts on my material?
Yes. Send us a sample of your sheet and we will make test cuts free of charge, so you can see the edge quality and confirm the right die style before you order.
Can you make a custom or multi-cavity ASTM D1004 die?
Yes. We make custom profiles, multi-cavity dies and nick or notch features on request. Send the drawing or standard, your material and thickness, and your press model.