100kN Universal Testing Machine

Machine Specifications

The 100kN or 22,000lb. universal testing machine is the highest capacity benchtop materials testing system in the world. The machine can test metals, composites, and reinforced plastics in both tensile and compression. Virtually any ASTM, ISO, or other standardized mechanical test can be programmed into the machine using the Graphwork 6 software from Galdabini.

 

Key specifications: 100 kN (22,481 lbf) capacity; 1 m (39.4 in) total stroke; test speeds up to 500 mm/min; 205 mm (8.1 in) column clearance. Longer stroke and wider frames are available.

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ASTM D7078 -  V-Notched Rail Shear Testing

ASTM D1002 - Lap Shear Tensile Testing

ASTM D3787 - Ball Burst Puncture Testing

ASTM D2412 - Plastic Pipe Compression Test

 

Customization

The testing machine uses different types of grips and fixtures to perform the intended testing procedure. Along with grips, the systems can also include deflectometers for bend and compression testing. Extensometers are also available for tensile testing. 

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Quality

Every Galdabini machine is manufactured and certified under ISO 9001:2008 quality standards and include a 1-yr. manufacturer's warranty.

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After-Sales Support

Each Galdabini machine includes full system support. The machine can be remotely accessed, diagnosed and fixed online anywhere in the world. Galdabini machines are used for critical manufacturing workflows in over 100 countries. 

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Calibration verification of the load cell and general machine maintenance can be performed by any local field calibration professional. 

 

What fits inside 100 kN (22,481 lbf)

The 100 kN Quasar is the largest benchtop frame and handles full-size metal specimens and high-strength composites. Typical peak loads, worked out from strength × cross-section:

• ASTM E8 round specimen, 12.5 mm diameter, steel at 500 MPa: about 61 kN.

• Unidirectional carbon, ASTM D3039 (15 × 1 mm) at 2,000 MPa: about 30 kN.

• M12 grade 8.8 bolt (84 mm² stress area) at 800 MPa: about 67 kN.

• Mortar cubes, ASTM C109 (50 mm) at 30 MPa: about 75 kN.

• V-notched rail shear, ASTM D7078: typically 5 to 20 kN.

 

Benchtop footprint, floor-standing capacity

Many labs choose the 100 kN Quasar so they can run full-size steel specimens without the cost and floor space of a floor-standing frame. It keeps the 205 mm (8.1 in) column clearance and 1 m stroke of the 50 kN model.

 

Grips and fixtures for this size

Typical setups include hydraulic or manual wedge grips for round and flat metal specimens, bolt grips for fasteners, compression platens for mortar and concrete samples, a rail-shear fixture for D7078 and a parallel-plate setup for ASTM D2412 pipe tests.

 

100 kN or 200 kN?

Choose 100 kN when your strongest specimen stays below about 80 kN. Move to the 200 kN floor-standing frame for rebar, large bolts, thick plate specimens or concrete cylinders. See our buyer's guide for the sizing method.

 

Running full-size metal tests

Full-size E8 round specimens are held by threaded or button-head adapters that match the specimen ends, or by V-face wedge grips for plain-end bar. An extensometer on the gauge length gives yield and modulus, and the software switches from strain-rate to crosshead control after yield as the standard allows. For fasteners, bolt grips with hardened inserts load the thread the same way it is loaded in service.

 

Frequently asked questions

Can a 100 kN machine test rebar?

Only small bars. A #4 (13 mm) Grade 60 bar needs about 90 kN. Larger bars need a floor-standing frame of 200 kN or more.

Is the 100 kN Quasar really a benchtop machine?

Yes. It sits on a rigid table rather than the floor, but it is heavy, so the table must be rated for the machine and its grips.

What is 100 kN in pounds?

100 kN equals 22,481 lbf.

Can the 100 kN Quasar run ASTM E8 full-size round specimens?

Yes. A standard 12.5 mm diameter steel specimen at 500 MPa breaks around 61 kN, well within the frame's 100 kN capacity.