Low Temperature Check
Automatic instrument for the determination for both TR TEST and BRITTLENESS POINT
Standards the instrument complies with:
ASTM D746; ASTM D1329; ASTM D1414; ASTM D2137; FIAT 50416; FIAT 50419; GOST 7912-74; ISO 812; ISO 974; ISO 2921;
ASTM D746; ASTM D1329; ASTM D1414; ASTM D2137; FIAT 50416; FIAT 50419; GOST 7912-74; ISO 812; ISO 974; ISO 2921;
Gibitre Instruments’ Low Temperature Check is a low-temperature testing system for assessing crystallization effects and comparing viscoelastic behavior of rubber and thermoplastic materials, confirming fitness for service in cold environments. Ideal for testing laboratories, quality control, and materials R&D.
It performs TR (Temperature Retraction) per ISO 2921 and ASTM D1329, and Brittleness Point tests per ISO 812, ISO 974, ASTM D2137, and ASTM D746, delivering traceable measurement aligned with international standards.
The system features a stainless-steel bath for test liquids, precise temperature control, and safety devices. Cooling via liquid nitrogen or a refrigeration unit is fully automated to ensure stable, repeatable conditions.
For TR tests, a multi-specimen holder analyzes up to six samples. Software manages identification, conditioning, execution, retraction curves, automatic calculations, tolerance checks, and archiving.
For Brittleness Point, a pneumatic striker,
Overview
Tests at low temperatures permit to evaluate the crystallization effects and to compare viscoelastic properties of rubber and rubber-like materials at low temperatures. Temperature Retraction and Brittleness Point tests are useful for the selection of materials suitable for low-temperature service.
The structure of the Low Temperature Check permits the installation of arrangements for TR and Brittleness point tests.
The structure includes the common parts required for low temperature testing:
• 5 litres stainless steel bath for cooling liquid
• Heat exchangers for bath cooling & thermal resistance for bath heating
• Temperature measurement with 0.1°C resolution (accuracy within ±0,5°C)
• Stirrer for bath homogenization
• Electronic card for the complete control and usb port for PC connection
• Safety devices: independent bath overheating controller, thermal switch, safety pushbutton.
Key Features
The instrument has been specially developed to automate test execution, minimize operator influence on results and ensure full compliance with safety requirements.
The most important features are:
• Automatic temperature adjustment based on the selected test procedure
• Possibility to configure the instrument for the execution of TEMPERATURE RETRACTION (TR) and / or BRITTLENESS POINT tests
• Automatic execution of the entire test cycle in compliance with international standards
• Automatic recording of retraction curves
• Saving of curves and numerical results in the standard Gibitre SQL database
• CE labelling
Cooling system
The instrument can be cooled using a liquid Nitrogen tank.
The regulation of the cooling is automatically controlled by the instrument according to the temperature set of the test procedure in use.
Temperature Retraction (TR) Test: Instrument Setup
The arrangement for TR test includes:
• Sample holder for the simultaneous test of 6 samples
• Pneumatic lifting system for the easy handling of the sample holder
• Windows bases software for TR test performance
The Sample Holder makes it possible to:
• Carry out simultaneous testing on 6 samples.
• Read automatically the retraction of each sample with 0.08 mm resolution
• Lock sample position in extended position during test preparation
• Automatically release of test samples at the end of the conditioning time.
TR Test Software
The software permits to:
• Select the Test Procedure, which autmatically sets the instruments
• Enter samples identification (up to 3 products)
• Cool and condition the samples
• Start the test
• Plot Retraction Curves for each sample
• Calculate test results and statistics
• Check tolerance limits for each product
• Save results and curves in the standard Gibitre SQL Database
Test report
Can be printed or saved to pdf in one of the available languages. The format of the Test Report can be customized by the user.
Brittleness point test: Instrument setup
The Brittleness Point test instrument configuration includes:
• Hammer activated by pneumatic cylinder
• 10-position specimen holder
• Gibitre-Brittleness programme compatible with Windows 11.
The hammer complies with international standards.
The distance between the hammer and the specimen can be selected according to the type of test (4.8, 5.2, 5.7, 6.4 mm).
The pneumatic cylinder that activates the hammer allows the test to be carried out while the specimens are immersed in the test liquid.
The compressed air pressure regulator allows the speed of the hammer to be adjusted according to the number of specimens and the viscosity of the test liquid.
The speed of the hammer is measured at each impact with a resolution of 0.01 m/s and compared with the specified tolerance (between 1.8 and 2.2 m/sec).
Software for Brittleness Point
The Brittleness Point Software permits to:
• Select the Test Procedure, which automatically sets the instrument
• Cool and condition the samples
• Activate the striker at the end of the conditioning time for the sampes
• Record the temperature and the speed of the striker
• Allow the user to enter test results after visual inspection
• Prepare the instrument for the next test Temperature
• Calculate and save Brittleness Point Temperature
Test report for Brittleness Point Test
Can be printed or saved to pdf in one of the available languages. The format of the Test Report can be customized by the user.
Datagest program: total Traceability
The Datagest program is the Database Management Tool always installed in combination with all Gibitre instrument-control programs.
The program permits to:
• Select, filter, print, export and analyse the test results stored with all the instruments connected.
• Prepare test procedures by defining the test conditions and the results to be produced
• Set tolerance limits for each product by manual insertion or using the statistical analysis (mean and standard deviation) of saved results
• Prepare multi-instrument test reports
Gibitre Standard SQL Database
All the Gibitre programs use a database with SQL structure for saving the results.
The database can be installed inside an SQL instance present on the company server or it can be installed on a PC connected to a measuring instrument. The installation of the Microsoft SQL service (Express version) is included in the delivery.
Industry 4.0 integration
The instrument and the software have been specifically developed to optimize integration with other environments.
The database in SQL format and the Gibitre_Company_Connect program allows you synchronize your company management software with Gibitre database and to speed up the identification of the tests and to use bar-code readers or similar devices.
Standard Calibration service for Low Temperature Check
The calibration is performed with reference to the requirements of ISO 2921 and ISO 812 standards.
The service includes:
• Ordinary maintenance of the instrument
• Calibration of the temperature of the cooling bath at 4 temperatures (0, -5, -35, -70°C).
• Calibration of the heating speed (gradient) of the cooling bath
• Calibration of the time reading device
• Calibration of the displacement of the 6 extensometers for TR Test (at 50, 70, 100 mm run).
• Verification of the pre-load force on the extensometers
• Calibration of the speed of the striker.
• Calibration of the distance between the nose of the striker for Brittleness point test and the sample holder.
• Issue and e-mail shipment of the Calibration Certificate with traceability to primary standards.
Cutters for sample Preparation
Die cutters conforming to international standards for preparing samples for TR-Test and Brittleness Point Test. The cutters are provided with dimension calibration report
Templates for Different TR Samples
The templates allow you to change the reference distance of the specimen holder support in order to use the different types of specimens required by the ISO 2921 and ASTM D1329 standards.
Hardware requirements
• Programs can be installed on standard PCs with WINDOWS 10 or 11 OPERATING SYSTEM.
• The CONNECTION between the instruments and the PC is made using the USB CABLE supplied with the instrument.
• The programs are COMPATIBLE WITH ANTIVIRUS, and other programs installed on the PC.
Safety devices
The instrument is equipped with:
• Safety sensor for automatic blocking of heating at room temperature
• Safety Push-button
• CE Labelling
Development and production
The instrument is totally developed and produced in the plant of Gibitre Instruments in Italy.
All the mechanical parts are produced in the company workshop using modern CNC machines.
Components and sensors from well-known brands are selected in order to ensure the maximum reliability in the measures
Internal trained personnel takes care of all the production stages: assembly, start-up, calibration, packing, shipment and installation.
Test Temperature
Cooling systems
With Liquid nitrogen tank
Test Temperature
-120 ÷ +20 °C (with liquid nitrogen tank)
Temperature-Measuring Device
The measure of the temperatura is performed by means of PT100 sensor and thermo-regulator with PID microprocessor and 0.1° Resolution.
The Accuracy of temperature measure is within ± 0.5 °C in the whole test range.
The Accuracy of temperature measure is within ± 0.5 °C in the whole test range.
Temperature Regulation
The regulation of the temperature is performed automatically by the instrument according to the temperature set in the selected test Procedure.
Accuracy of temperature regulation is within ± 1°C.
Accuracy of temperature regulation is within ± 1°C.
Connection to Liquid Nitrogen tank
The instrument is connected to a standard nitrogen tank via the connection tube supplied. The connection connector is DIN 2353 type, 8L ¼ inch.
Temperature Retraction (TR) Test
Sample holders for TR Test
Permits to test 6 samples at the same time
Resolution for retraction reading: 0.08 mm
Resolution for retraction reading: 0.08 mm
Software for TR Test
The program Gibitre-TR-test, compatible with Windows 10 and 11, controls the complete test sequence and permits to save test results and retraction curves in the standard SQL gibitre database
Numerical Test Data - TR test
TR-Test: TR10, TR30, TR50, TR70, TRx (x customer defined) Time at set TR.
Graphic representation and printout
Curves of % Retraction vs. Temperature for each sample. Temperature vs Time
Lifting System
Pneumatic system for lifting sample holder for TR-Test.
Brittleness Point Test
Sample holders for Brittleness Point
Sample holder for 10 samples.
Software for Brittleness Point Test
The program Gibitre-Brittleness-test, compatible with Windows 10 and 11, controls the complete test sequence and permits to save temperature retraction temperature in the standard SQL gibitre database
Test Results Stored - Brittleness Point
Test temperature, Striker Speed, Result of visual inspection (passed - failed)
Speed of the striker for Brittleness Point test
Actuator via pneumatic piston with pressure regulator and automatic or manual start.
Speed measurement with resolution of 0.01 m/s
Speed measurement with resolution of 0.01 m/s
Gap between striker and sample holder
Can be set to: 4,8 5,2 5,7 6,4 mm
Construction Characteristics
Test chamber
Test chamber capacity of 5 litres; Stainless steel chamber equipped with mixer to ensure the temperature of the test bath is uniform (ethyl alcohol - silicon oil).
Weight
120 Kg
Power Supply
220 VAC,50/60 Hz, single phase (110 VAC, 60 Hz on request)
Electrical Power
750 Watt
Compressed air
Min 6 bar. Air treatment unit (cleaning and lubrication) is included.
Instrument dimensions
(Width x Depth x Height) 700 x 710 x 1500 mm
Safety Devices
Safety Devices
Safety Pushbutton
Safety temperature limit switch
CE labelling
Safety temperature limit switch
CE labelling
Labelling
CE Labelling
Calibration
Calibration Report
Calibration report with traceability to primary standards in conformity with the Calibration requirements specified in ISO 2921 and ISO 812 standards.
Calibrated parameters
• Temperature of the bath (0, -5, -35, -70°C)
• Heating speed of the cooling bath
• Test Time
• Displacement and pre-load of the 6 extensometers for TR Test
• Speed of the striker for Brittleness Point
• Distance between striker and sample holder
• Heating speed of the cooling bath
• Test Time
• Displacement and pre-load of the 6 extensometers for TR Test
• Speed of the striker for Brittleness Point
• Distance between striker and sample holder
Personal Computer (optional)
Minimum configuration
Intel Core i3 2 GB RAM
Compatible Operating Systems
Windows 10 and 11
Connection to the instrument
USB port
Software usage Languages
Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Turkish, Polish, Czech
Gibitre Instruments
Via dell'industria, 18
Bergamo (Italy)
te. +39 035 461146
www.gibitre.it
info@gibitre.it
Copyright Gibitre Instruments
