UTM 5K Universal Testing Machine 5KN

The UTM 5K is available with six load cell capacity options: 120N, 500N, 1000N, 2000N, 5000N, and 10000N — one is selected at the time of order. The appropriate capacity depends on the materials and test methods to be used. For single yarn strength testing (ISO 2062, ASTM D2256), a 120N or 500N cell is typically appropriate. For fabric strip or grab tensile tests (ISO 13934), a 1000N or 2000N cell suits most woven fabrics, while heavier industrial textiles, straps, or webbing may require a 5000N or 10000N cell. As accuracy is maintained at ±0.5% of the indicated value across all load cells, using the correctly matched capacity maximises resolution and measurement quality.

The UTM 5K is specifically designed for textiles, yarn, and straps, and supports eleven test functions through its standard grip set and software: constant-speed tensile, peeling, tearing, seam slippage, bursting, definite elongation, definite load, elastic recovery, single yarn strength, and lea yarn strength tests. With the optional dogbone sample fixture it can also test tensile properties of plastics per ASTM D638. Additional grips for other material types — leather, nonwovens, technical textiles, packaging films — can be ordered separately, making the UTM 5K adaptable to a wide range of laboratory requirements beyond its textile and yarn core scope.

The gauge length is adjustable from 25mm to 500mm to accommodate the specimen gauge length requirements of different test standards. At a gauge length of 100mm, the maximum crosshead travel gives a maximum elongation of 700mm — equivalent to 700% extension at that gauge length, which is more than sufficient for even highly extensible elastomeric fabrics and yarn. Displacement resolution is 0.01mm, ensuring that elongation values are captured with high precision. The adjustable pretension force allows the specimen to be placed under a controlled pre-load before the test begins, as specified by certain yarn and fabric test methods.

The UTM 5K complies with an extensive list of ISO and ASTM standards covering the full range of textile mechanical tests. ISO standards include ISO 13934-1, ISO 13934-2 (fabric tensile), ISO 13937-2, ISO 13937-4 (tearing), ISO 13936-1, ISO 13936-2 (seam slippage), ISO 13935-1, ISO 13935-2 (seam strength), ISO 2062 (yarn), ISO 9073-3, ISO 9073-4, ISO 9073-18 (nonwovens), and EN ISO 14704-1. ASTM standards include D638, D2256, D5034, D5035, D2261, D5587, D3936, D4964, D2061, D6797, and D1683 Modified. This broad coverage supports export quality certification and compliance testing across global markets.

The UTM 5K incorporates a comprehensive set of hardware and software safety protections. Electrical protections include overload detection, over-current and over-voltage shutdown circuits that prevent damage to the load cell and drive electronics in the event of an unexpected load spike or power disturbance. Mechanical safety is provided by programmable upper and lower displacement limits that stop the crosshead travel before it can damage the grips, load cell, or frame. A physical emergency stop button is mounted on the instrument for immediate halt in any situation. Together, these protections make the instrument safe to operate by laboratory technicians with standard training.

The PC software displays real-time force–extension graphs during the test and calculates breaking load, elongation at break, yield load, yield elongation, and CV% across the specimen batch automatically. On completion, all results and graphs can be exported to Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, or image file formats, and can also be printed directly as a formatted test report. The software supports the variety of standard test functions and can be customised to add additional test types or output parameters according to customer requirements. This flexibility makes the UTM 5K's software suitable for both straightforward production QC reporting and detailed laboratory research documentation.

The UTM 5K operates on 220VAC, 50Hz. The instrument weighs 120 kg and occupies a floor footprint of 380mm (L) × 480mm (W) with a height of 1450mm, making it a compact floor-standing unit suitable for most laboratory spaces. No compressed air or special utilities are required — only a standard electrical supply and the connected PC (included in the standard configuration or available separately as an option). The instrument should be installed on a stable, level floor surface, in an environment maintained between 0°C and 38°C with relative humidity in the range 10% to 90% non-condensing to ensure accurate and reliable measurement.