Tension • Compression • Flexural • Peel
Grips & Fixtures
A Complete Guide to UTM Clamping and Fixture Selection
Designed, engineered, and manufactured by Vector
The accuracy of tensile, compression, flexural, and peel tests on universal testing machines (UTMs) depends not only on frame quality but on how securely the specimen is gripped. The wrong grip leads to slippage, premature failure at the jaw face, and unreliable data. Vector supplies high-performance grips and fixtures from gram-force to meganewton capacity — aligned with ASTM, ISO, and DIN methods for plastics, metals, composites, textiles, and medical applications.
Pneumatic Grips
Pneumatic actuation for fast, repeatable clamping on films, foils, and soft polymer specimens.
Applicable standards
ASTM D4073, ASTM D5147 +1 more
V-Seat Grips
V-seat jaw inserts for round bar, tube, and irregular cross-sections in tensile programmes.
Applicable standards
ASTM E8/E8M, ISO 6892 +4 more
Screw Side Action
Side-action screw grips for aligned tensile loading with controlled clamping pressure.
Applicable standards
GOST 9136, ASTM D5034 +6 more
Mechanical Wedge Grips
Self-tightening mechanical wedge grips for metals, plastics, and composites on electromechanical frames.
Applicable standards
ASTM A370, ASTM E8 +6 more
Hydraulic Grips
High clamping-force hydraulic wedge grips for thick bar, rebar, and high-capacity UTM workflows.
Applicable standards
ASTM D6637
Compression Platens
Rigid upper and lower platens for cubes, cylinders, plaques, and plate compression tests.
Applicable standards
DIN EN ISO 7864, ASTM D3410 +21 more
Bending Fixtures
Three-point and four-point bending anvils and supports for flexural strength and modulus.
Applicable standards
DIN EN ISO 7438, ASTM F1575 +27 more
Shear and Peel Grips
Peel, shear, and adhesion fixtures for laminates, tapes, seals, and bonded joints.
Applicable standards
ASTM D905, ASTM D143 +53 more
Eccentric Roller Grip
Eccentric roller clamping for flexible webs, strip, and thin sheet without jaw crushing.
Not tied to a single standard — general-purpose clamping for elastic and soft specimens (textiles, foils, and similar).
Pincer Grips
Pincer-type clamps for delicate, small, or irregular specimens that need light, even pressure.
Applicable standards
DIN 4843, GOST 9292 +2 more
Ribbon and Rope Grip
Capstan and wrap fixtures for cord, rope, ribbon, and textile tensile programmes.
Applicable standards
ASTM D3759, DIN EN 14410 +5 more
Puncture Fixtures
Puncture probes and support rings for penetration resistance on films, membranes, and composites.
Applicable standards
ASTM D4833, GOST R56586 +22 more
Can't find what you're looking for?
If your specimen geometry, load range, or test standard isn't covered in the catalog above, Vector designs and manufactures bespoke grips and fixtures for your application.
Grip Types by Test Method and Material
Pneumatic Grips
Ideal for high-volume testing and repeatability. Pneumatic clamping maintains constant pressure on plastic films, rubber, and textiles that tend to shrink within the jaw faces.
Screw Side Action Grips
The most widely used, economical, and flexible option in laboratories. Excellent gripping for biomedical components, thin films, and adhesive specimens.
Wedge Action Grips
A self-tightening mechanism grips harder as load increases. The industry standard for tensile testing of metals, rigid plastics, and composites.
Hydraulic Grips
Used for high-capacity static and dynamic (fatigue) testing, typically above 50 kN. Maximum clamping force and safety for steel, rebar, and heavy-industry workflows.
Specialty Application Fixtures
Custom capstan and roller fixtures for non-standard geometries such as rope, cable, O-rings, textile strip, or microelectronic components.
Quick Grip Selection Matrix
| Grip operating principle | Maximum force capacity | Primary applications | Compatible material types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screw grips | 0.02 kN – 50 kN | Plastic testing, adhesive testing | Thin films, wire, light plastics |
| Pneumatic grips | 0.02 kN – 100 kN | Production QC, textiles | Rubber, elastomers, plastic film, strip |
| Wedge grips | 2.5 kN – 600 kN | General tensile testing, automotive | Metals, composites, rigid plastics |
| Hydraulic grips | 10 kN – 2000 kN | Heavy industry, metallurgy, aerospace | Thick metals, rebar, high-strength structures |
Full Compliance with International Standards
Every fixture is designed for globally accepted test methods so your laboratory results transfer seamlessly across international markets. Representative standards supported with Vector grips and fixtures include:
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Tensile Testing — Metals & Alloys
- ASTM E8 / E8M: Standard test methods for tension testing of metallic materials using wedge or hydraulic action grips.
- ISO 6892-1: Metallic materials tensile testing at room temperature.
- ASTM A370: Mechanical testing of steel products, including rebar, wire, and fasteners.
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Tensile, Flexural & Impact — Plastics & Polymers
- ASTM D638 / ISO 527-1 & -2: Tensile properties of rigid and semi-rigid plastics using manual or pneumatic side-action grips.
- ASTM D790 / ISO 178: Flexural properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics using 3-point and 4-point bending fixtures.
- ASTM D882: Tensile testing of thin plastic sheeting and films.
- ISO 8256 / ASTM D1822: Tensile-impact energy determination for plastics and polymers.
-
Rubber, Elastomers & Flexible Materials
- ASTM D412 / ISO 37: Vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic elastomers in tension, utilizing self-tightening roller or pneumatic grips to prevent specimen slippage.
- ASTM D1414: Standard test methods for rubber O-rings in tension.
-
Composite Materials
- ASTM D3039 / ISO 527-4 & -5: Tensile properties of polymer matrix composite materials under high-capacity wedge loading.
- ASTM D7264: Flexural properties of polymer matrix composite materials.
-
Adhesives, Tapes & Peel Testing
- ASTM D903: Peel or stripping strength of adhesive bonds.
- ASTM D1894 / ISO 8295: Static and kinetic coefficients of friction of plastic films and sheeting using dedicated friction sled fixtures.
- ASTM D3330: Peel adhesion testing for pressure-sensitive tapes (90-degree and 180-degree methods).
-
Construction & Cementitious Materials
- ISO 679 / ASTM C109: Flexural and compressive strength testing of cement mortar prisms using specialized compression platens and compression jigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent specimen slippage during testing?
Slippage usually comes from the wrong jaw face selection. Serrated or rubber-lined faces suit soft materials; diamond-coated or smooth corrugated faces suit hard metals. Pneumatic grips can also maintain constant clamping pressure throughout the test.
Can Vector grips be integrated with another brand of tensile tester?
Yes. Custom adapter plates allow our grips and fixtures to mount on existing universal testing frames regardless of manufacturer — Instron, Zwick, Shimadzu, and others.
Which grips should be used inside an environmental chamber?
High- and low-temperature testing requires grips with appropriate materials and lubrication. Extended screw or pneumatic grips in special alloys are typically specified for ranges from -70 °C to +250 °C and beyond.
Can jaw faces be replaced without changing the entire grip body?
Yes. All Vector grips feature a quick-change insert design. You can swap jaw faces for different material types in seconds without any tools or removing the grip body from the frame.
Do you design custom fixtures for non-standard specimen shapes?
Absolutely. If your specimen has an irregular geometry or requires a unique testing method, our engineering team custom-designs specialized fixtures and adapters tailored exactly to your application.
How do Vector grips ensure correct axial alignment during a test?
Our grips are precision-machined to strict tolerances to guarantee perfect concentricity. We also offer standard-compliant alignment couplings to eliminate parasitic bending strains and ensure pure tensile loading.
What routine maintenance do these test fixtures require?
Maintenance is minimal but critical. Keep jaw face surfaces clean of specimen debris using a wire brush. Regularly check and lubricate moving mechanical joints, using specialized lubricants if operating inside an environmental chamber.
Compatible Vector UTM Series
Our grips and fixtures are engineered to work with Vector universal testing machines — from Tesla Series benchtop models to hydraulic and environmental-chamber frames.
Universal Testing Machine
For test forces up to 300 kN
Hydraulic Universal Testing Machine
For test forces up to 1000 kN
Universal Testing Machine with Environmental Chamber
Set the test temperature yourself
Custom grip and fixture solutions for your project
Contact our technical team to select the right fixture for your specimen, standard, and existing test frame.