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ISO 37 Type 3 Cutting Die – Dumbbell
Dumbbell Type 3 · Tensile specimen — built to ISO 37. Hardened steel or economical ribbon steel.
Brand: Universal Grip | Model: UGC-CDH-ISO37-T3 / UGC-CDR-ISO37-T3 | ● Made to order
Cuts the ISO 37 Type 3 dumbbell profile: 4.0 × 16 mm narrow section, 50 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)
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Precision cutting die for ISO 37 Type 3 dumbbell specimens
This Universal Grip die cuts the dumbbell Type 3 (tensile specimen) defined in ISO 37: Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of tensile stress-strain properties. ISO 37 specifies how to determine tensile strength, elongation at break and stress at given elongations for vulcanized and thermoplastic rubbers using die-cut dumbbells or rings. Type 3 is a small dumbbell for specimens cut from finished products.
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 ISO 37 Type 3 profile.
ISO 37 Type 3 specimen dimensions
The die is cut to the nominal profile in ISO 37: overall length (min) 50 mm, width of ends 8.5 ± 0.5 mm, length of narrow section 16 ± 1 mm, width of narrow section 4.0 ± 0.1 mm, transition radius (outer) 7.5 ± 0.5 mm, gauge length 10.0 ± 0.5 mm and recommended thickness 2.0 ± 0.2 mm. Always check your current edition of the standard for tolerances and the test procedure.
Type 3 compared with other ISO 37 dies
Type 3: 4.0 × 16 mm narrow section, 50 mm overall length (this die)
Type 3 sits mid-range among the 5 ISO 37 profiles we make.
Where it is used
Typical uses for ISO 37 Type 3 specimens include O-rings & seals, automotive hoses & belts, tire compounds and molded elastomer parts.
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.
ISO 37 Type 3 Cutting Die Specifications
STANDARD
ISO 37 Type 3
SPECIMEN
Dumbbell Type 3
SPECIMEN TYPE
Tensile specimen
OVERALL LENGTH (MIN)
50 mm
WIDTH OF ENDS
8.5 ± 0.5 mm
LENGTH OF NARROW SECTION
16 ± 1 mm
WIDTH OF NARROW SECTION
4.0 ± 0.1 mm
TRANSITION RADIUS (OUTER)
7.5 ± 0.5 mm
GAUGE LENGTH
10.0 ± 0.5 mm
RECOMMENDED THICKNESS
2.0 ± 0.2 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-ISO37-T3 (hardened) · UGC-CDR-ISO37-T3 (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-ISO37-T3)
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-ISO37-T3)
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
ISO 37 Type 3 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
Compatible Grips & Fixtures
Arbor press — Benchtop press for cutting dumbbell specimens with this die
Sample die press — Specimen-preparation presses and tools
Pneumatic grips — Constant clamping force for rubber dumbbells and tear specimens
Roller grips — Self-tightening eccentric roller grips for elastomers
Die sharpening tool — Restore the cutting edge of a hardened steel die
Marking tool — Repeatable 10.0 mm gauge marks for video extensometers
Elastomer testing — Grips, fixtures and dies for rubber and TPE testing
“Customer quote”
Related Equipment
ISO 37 Type 1 Cutting Die
Dumbbell · 6.2 × 33 mm narrow section
ISO 37 Type 1A Cutting Die
Dumbbell · 5.0 × 21 mm narrow section
ISO 37 Type 2 Cutting Die
Dumbbell · 4.0 × 25 mm narrow section
ISO 37 Type 4 Cutting Die
Dumbbell · 2.0 × 12 mm narrow section
ISO 37 Type 3 Cutting Die FAQ
What is the ISO 37 test used for?
ISO 37 specifies how to determine tensile strength, elongation at break and stress at given elongations for vulcanized and thermoplastic rubbers using die-cut dumbbells or rings. Type 3 is a small dumbbell for specimens cut from finished products.
What are the ISO 37 Type 3 specimen dimensions?
The die cuts the nominal ISO 37 profile: overall length (min) 50 mm, width of ends 8.5 ± 0.5 mm, length of narrow section 16 ± 1 mm, width of narrow section 4.0 ± 0.1 mm, transition radius (outer) 7.5 ± 0.5 mm, gauge length 10.0 ± 0.5 mm and recommended thickness 2.0 ± 0.2 mm. These values come from the standard; check your current edition for tolerances.
Hardened steel or ribbon steel: which ISO 37 Type 3 die should I choose?
For most rubber and TPE sheet around 2 mm thick, the ribbon steel die is the economical choice. Choose hardened steel for filled or harder compounds, sheet up to 5 mm, or high daily volumes, since it lasts longer and can be re-sharpened.
Which press do I need for the ISO 37 Type 3 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 ISO 37 Type 3 specimens?
Hold the wide ends in pneumatic grips or roller grips so the specimen is loaded straight along its axis. The gauge length is 10.0 ± 0.5 mm; our marking tool applies repeatable gauge marks for video extensometers.
Which other ISO 37 dies do you make?
We also make cutting dies for Type 1, Type 1A, Type 2 and Type 4, 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 ISO 37 Type 3 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.