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ASTM D638 Type I Cutting Die – Dumbbell
Dumbbell Type I · Tensile specimen — built to ASTM D638. Hardened steel or economical ribbon steel.
Brand: Universal Grip | Model: UGC-CDH-D638-TI / UGC-CDR-D638-TI | ● Made to order
Cuts the ASTM D638 Type I dumbbell profile: 13 × 57 mm narrow section, 165 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 D638
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Precision cutting die for ASTM D638 Type I dumbbell specimens
This Universal Grip die cuts the dumbbell Type I (tensile specimen) defined in ASTM D638: Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics. ASTM D638 covers tensile strength, modulus and elongation of unreinforced and reinforced plastics using dumbbell specimens. The Type I profile is the preferred specimen for rigid and semi-rigid plastics up to 7 mm thick.
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 D638 Type I profile.
ASTM D638 Type I specimen dimensions
The die is cut to the nominal profile in ASTM D638: overall length (min) 165 mm, width of narrow section 13 ± 0.5 mm, length of narrow section 57 ± 0.5 mm, width of ends 19 ± 6.4 mm, gauge length 50 ± 0.25 mm, radius of fillet 76 ± 1 mm and thickness 3.2 ± 0.4 mm (≤7 mm). Always check your current edition of the standard for tolerances and the test procedure.
Type I compared with other ASTM D638 dies
Type I: 13 × 57 mm narrow section, 165 mm overall length (this die)
Type V: 3.18 × 9.53 mm narrow section, 63.5 mm overall length
Type I sits mid-range among the 5 ASTM D638 profiles we make.
Where it is used
Typical uses for ASTM D638 Type I specimens include molded plastic parts, extruded sheet, reinforced composites and material qualification & QC.
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 D638 Type I Cutting Die Specifications
STANDARD
ASTM D638 Type I
SPECIMEN
Dumbbell Type I
SPECIMEN TYPE
Tensile specimen
OVERALL LENGTH (MIN)
165 mm
WIDTH OF NARROW SECTION
13 ± 0.5 mm
LENGTH OF NARROW SECTION
57 ± 0.5 mm
WIDTH OF ENDS
19 ± 6.4 mm
GAUGE LENGTH
50 ± 0.25 mm
RADIUS OF FILLET
76 ± 1 mm
THICKNESS
3.2 ± 0.4 mm (≤7 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-D638-TI (hardened) · UGC-CDR-D638-TI (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-D638-TI)
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-D638-TI)
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 D638 Type I 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 D638 — Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
Compatible Grips & Fixtures
Arbor press — Benchtop press for cutting 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 50 mm gauge marks for video extensometers
Plastics testing — Grips and fixtures for plastic film, sheet and molded parts
“Customer quote”
Related Equipment
ASTM D638 Type II Cutting Die
Dumbbell · 6 × 57 mm narrow section
ASTM D638 Type III Cutting Die
Dumbbell · 19 × 57 mm narrow section
ASTM D638 Type IV Cutting Die
Dumbbell · 6 × 33 mm narrow section
ASTM D638 Type V Cutting Die
Dumbbell · 3.18 × 9.53 mm narrow section
ASTM D638 Type I Cutting Die FAQ
What is the ASTM D638 test used for?
ASTM D638 covers tensile strength, modulus and elongation of unreinforced and reinforced plastics using dumbbell specimens. The Type I profile is the preferred specimen for rigid and semi-rigid plastics up to 7 mm thick.
What are the ASTM D638 Type I specimen dimensions?
The die cuts the nominal ASTM D638 profile: overall length (min) 165 mm, width of narrow section 13 ± 0.5 mm, length of narrow section 57 ± 0.5 mm, width of ends 19 ± 6.4 mm, gauge length 50 ± 0.25 mm, radius of fillet 76 ± 1 mm and thickness 3.2 ± 0.4 mm (≤7 mm). These values come from the standard; check your current edition for tolerances.
Hardened steel or ribbon steel: which ASTM D638 Type I 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 D638 Type I 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 D638 Type I specimens?
Hold the wide ends in wedge grips or pneumatic grips so the specimen is loaded straight along its axis. The gauge length is 50 ± 0.25 mm; our marking tool applies repeatable gauge marks for video extensometers.
Which other ASTM D638 dies do you make?
We also make cutting dies for Type II, Type III, Type IV and Type V, each in hardened and ribbon steel.
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 D638 Type I 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.