Compression Test Fixtures

Choose from 100's of standard products as well as custom solutions. Our modular platform enables us to adjust designs for any application requirement. All of our compression fixtures will fit any brand of test machine through the use of an adapter.

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Universal Compression Platens & Plates

These compression platens and plates satisfy 75% of tests.

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Application Specific Compression Fixtures

For applications that are unique and cannot be tested with conventional compression fixtures.

Need help? There are so many compression fixtures to choose from it can be overwhelming and you certainly don’t want to make the mistake of selecting the wrong one. Give us a call today to speak to one of our experienced engineers that will work with you to find the exact solution based on your test requirements.

Fits Any Brand Test Machine

Our grips and fixtures will fit any brand of test machine. We offer adapters that allow the grips and fixtures to be used on test machines from TestResources, Instron®, MTS®, Tinius Olsen® and every other brand of machine.

Which Compression Platen is Right for You?

There are two types of compression test fixtures. The most common or most universal test fixtures are known as compression plates or platens. These are referred to in many standardized industry test methods. The second type are designed for a single purpose such as for a specific industry standard test method (e.g. ASTM D695).

Featuring a variety of diameters and plate sizes, the G23, G223 and G36 compression platens fill a wide range of testing needs. The steel versions are produced with a high Rockwell Scale hardness to minimize deformations under high loads. Inscribed concentric circles make it easy to center the specimen, which improves test result validity. The high tolerance of surface flatness produces a level seating surface with even load distribution.

Universal Compression Platens

Compression platens are used for a wide range of materials including wood, plastic, flexible or rigid foam, metal and metallic alloys, composites, packaging, and ceramics. Sample shapes include square, cylindrical cubes, and components. Both platens and plates are precisely machined test fixtures that evenly distribute the compressive load during a test. They are useful for static compression and compression-compression cyclic tests. 

They enable tests to be performed including compression modulus, compression strength, and compression yield strength. Platens are easy to install and come in several forms. 

Compression Platen and Plates Features:

• • • • Multiple diameter sizes are available in aluminum and steel 
      • Multiple test machine adapters are available to match your existing test machine coupler. 
      • Their load capacities are based on the machine adapter size. 
      • Conforms to ISO, ASTM, DIN and many other standards
      • Etched with concentric rings for accurate specimen placement 
      • Provisions for attachment of optional displacement transducers 
      • Rugged design features minimal maintenance 

Our platens are designed to center on the loading axis of universal compression test machines. Spherical seats are integral to the compression platen, and are available in a range of diameters. 

Designed to mount directly to the crosshead and/or load frame base, our compression platens and plates are available with multiple sizes and types of test machine adapters, making them compatible with your needs. We even stock adapters for use on Instron load frames.

Fixed Platens

Our compression fixtures make it easy to perform compression tests. Fixed Platens are rigidly fixed, stiff and resistant to off center loads. That way, parallelism is ensured during specimen failure. Standard options include platens where the edge of the platen can attach to optional displacement transducers, allowing measurements of direct displacement between two (equal sized) platens during a compression test.

Learn more about fixed platens →  

Spherically Seated Platens

Spherical seat platens are for applications that require platen self-alignment. These platens ensure that loading is concentrically and evenly applied to specimens that do not stand perpendicular to the platen surface. They are commonly used when test samples are cut in a non parallel manner between the sample top surface and it’s bottom surface. Once arranged, the user can fix the spherical setup by tightening four bolts. It’s simple.

The G223 spherically seated compression platens have a standard and a large angle version that accommodates angular displacement up to +/- 15 degrees of the top of the specimen with reference to the machine’s loading axis. These spherical seated compression platens are typically mounted to your test machine crosshead and normally used with a fixed version (also known as plane version) compression platen that is mounted to the base of the machine. 

Learn more about spherically seated platens →  

Rectangular Platens

Rectangular platens are commonly used for compression tests of plastic pipe, metal, plastic components, tile and box crushing tests. They are available with adapters in almost any size or load rating. 

Learn more about rectangular platens →  

Additional Compression Options

We can also make high temperature [e.g. 550°C (1022°F)] platens, and have materials that are extremely wear resistant, or corrosion resistant. Our standard steel platens and plates are nickel plated and rated for use at temperatures from -70°C to +350°C (-94°F to +662°F).

G36T T Slotted Plates

T-slot tables and component test plates are used with universal testing machines to mount or clamp components, finished products, and structures for tensile, compression, flexural, peel, and puncture testing applications. They provide an extended work area and a convenient way to secure your test samples in your test machine.

T-slot tables are mounted directly to the base of the machine. The slots run front-to-back, side-to-side, and diagonally. Components and structures can be secured in position using the various clamping tools. G36T slot tables allow you to secure components that can't be held with tensile grips to a universal testing machine. T-slot nuts are slid into the inverted T-slot of the table. Bolts, studs, or threaded rods are threaded into the nuts. 

T-slot tables can be used to repeat-position specimens in the same location for batch testing of components. Guides, slides, and stops can be bolted into position to allow placement of the specimens for every test. 

Common applications include components used in automotive, electronics, biomedical, and consumer products test labs. 

Learn more about T slotted plates →  

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Choose Your Compression Grips & Fixtures by Test Standard

Still not sure which fixture is right for you? Use the table below to help you decide what compression fixtures you need by standard. The list below is organized by common industry standards and the associated test fixtures required by each standard. Start by learning more about the standard or learn more about the fixtures.

Standard	Fixture	Application
ASTM C364	GC364-1158	Composites
ASTM C1424	GC1424-838	Ceramics
ASTM D3410	GD3410-613	Composites
ASTM D3574	GD3574-223	Flexible Foam
ASTM D3574	GD3574-42	Seat Bolster
ASTM D3967	GD3967-1376	Rock
ASTM D6641	GD6641-705	Composites
ASTM D695 - Fig 2	GD695-813	Rigid Plastics
ASTM D695 - Fig 4	GD695-793	Composites
ASTM D7084	GD7084-1397	Catalyst Particles
ASTM D7137	GD7137-818	Composites
ASTM D905	GD905-17	Wood Adhesives
ASTM F1306	GF1306-525	Film Puncture
ASTM F2378	GF2378-1510	Gaskets
Heated Platens	G4220	up to 650C(1200F)
ISO 13314	GISO13314-23	Porous Metals
ISO 13503	GISO13503-947	Sand Proppant
ISO 7886	GISO7886-727	Medical Syringe
Ottawa	G773	Noodle Press

If you need a fixture for a test that is not listed, please contact us for pricing information. In some cases, a universal grip or fixture can perform multiple tests and sample types.

Our experienced engineers will work with you to ensure your test system is configured to meet your specific application requirements. Contact us for help.

Standard, Semi-Custom and Application Engineered Compression Solutions

We offer 100's of standard products as well as custom solutions. Standard compression platens and plates satisfy 75% of tests, however, our modular platform enables us to adjust designs for any application requirement. We understand that every application can be unique. With this in mind, we offer custom engineered fixtures to match your specimen with any test force. Through the use of some of our standard elements, we can configure a wide variety of unique solutions without paying a “custom price” or waiting months to receive your order. Our modular platform approach satisfies virtually any application requirement.

Contact us to request a custom quote