Home › Products › Cutting Dies › ASTM D2116 Cutting Die
ASTM D2116 Cutting Die – Microtensile Dumbbell
Microtensile Dumbbell · Tensile specimen — built to ASTM D2116. Hardened steel or economical ribbon steel.
Brand: Universal Grip | Model: UGC-CDH-D2116 / UGC-CDR-D2116 | ● Made to order
Cuts the ASTM D2116 microtensile Dumbbell profile: 4.8 mm wide narrow section, 38.1 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 D2116
Trusted by Global Companies
Precision cutting die for ASTM D2116 microtensile Dumbbell specimens
This Universal Grip die cuts the microtensile Dumbbell (tensile specimen) defined in ASTM D2116: Standard Specification for FEP-Fluorocarbon Molding and Extrusion Materials. ASTM D2116 specifies requirements and test methods for FEP fluorocarbon molding and extrusion resins. Tensile strength and elongation are determined on microtensile dumbbells die-cut from compression-molded sheet.
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 D2116 profile.
ASTM D2116 specimen dimensions
The die is cut to the nominal profile in ASTM D2116: overall length (min) 38.1 mm, width of narrow section 4.8 mm, width of ends 15.9 mm, distance between tabs (gauge) 22.25 ± 0.05 mm, initial grip separation 22.0 ± 0.05 mm and specimen thickness 1.5 ± 0.3 mm. Always check your current edition of the standard for tolerances and the test procedure.
Where it is used
Typical uses for ASTM D2116 specimens include wire & cable insulation, chemical-process tubing & linings, semiconductor fluid handling and film & release sheets.
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 D2116 Cutting Die Specifications
STANDARD
ASTM D2116
SPECIMEN
Microtensile Dumbbell
SPECIMEN TYPE
Tensile specimen
OVERALL LENGTH (MIN)
38.1 mm
WIDTH OF NARROW SECTION
4.8 mm
WIDTH OF ENDS
15.9 mm
DISTANCE BETWEEN TABS (GAUGE)
22.25 ± 0.05 mm
INITIAL GRIP SEPARATION
22.0 ± 0.05 mm
SPECIMEN THICKNESS
1.5 ± 0.3 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
UGC-CDH-D2116 (hardened) · UGC-CDR-D2116 (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 (UGC-CDH-D2116)
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-D2116)
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 D2116 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 D2116 — Standard Specification for FEP-Fluorocarbon Molding and Extrusion Materials
Compatible Grips & Fixtures
Arbor press — Benchtop press for cutting microtensile Dumbbell specimens with this die
Sample die press — Specimen-preparation presses and tools
Wedge grips — Self-tightening wedge grips for rigid plastic dumbbells
Pneumatic grips — Constant clamping force for thin or soft plastics
Die sharpening tool — Restore the cutting edge of a hardened steel die
Marking tool — Repeatable 22.25 mm gauge marks for video extensometers
Plastics testing — Grips and fixtures for plastic film, sheet and molded parts
“Customer quote”
Related Equipment
ISO 3167 Type A Cutting Die
Multipurpose Dumbbell · 10.0 × 80 mm narrow section
ISO 3167 Type B Cutting Die
Multipurpose Dumbbell · 10.0 × 60.0 mm narrow section
ISO 527-2 Type 1A Cutting Die
Dumbbell · 10.0 × 80 mm narrow section
ISO 527-2 Type 1B Cutting Die
Dumbbell · 10.0 × 60.0 mm narrow section
ASTM D2116 Cutting Die FAQ
What is the ASTM D2116 test used for?
ASTM D2116 specifies requirements and test methods for FEP fluorocarbon molding and extrusion resins. Tensile strength and elongation are determined on microtensile dumbbells die-cut from compression-molded sheet.
What are the ASTM D2116 specimen dimensions?
The die cuts the nominal ASTM D2116 profile: overall length (min) 38.1 mm, width of narrow section 4.8 mm, width of ends 15.9 mm, distance between tabs (gauge) 22.25 ± 0.05 mm, initial grip separation 22.0 ± 0.05 mm and specimen thickness 1.5 ± 0.3 mm. These values come from the standard; check your current edition for tolerances.
Hardened steel or ribbon steel: which ASTM D2116 die should I choose?
For rigid and semi-rigid plastics, filled compounds and sheet up to 5 mm, choose the hardened steel die. The ribbon steel die is the economical option for soft plastics and films up to 3 mm.
Which press do I need for the ASTM D2116 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.
How do I grip and measure ASTM D2116 specimens?
Hold the wide ends in wedge grips or pneumatic grips so the specimen is loaded straight along its axis. The gauge length is 22.25 ± 0.05 mm; our marking tool applies repeatable gauge marks for video extensometers.
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 D2116 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.