Benz Materials Testing Instrument News

When quality, safety, and reliability cannot be compromised, Benz Materials Testing Instrument delivers proven solutions that help industries confidently evaluate, compare, and certify materials. Our advanced testers meet ASTM, ISO, and international standards, giving researchers, manufacturers, and quality control teams the accuracy they need to succeed. 

Benz Launches TR 2200 Temperature Retraction Tester for Rubber and Plastic

PROVIDENCE, RI – Benz Materials Testing Instrument has introduced the Benz TR 2200 Temperature Retraction Tester, designed to measure the effects of low temperature on rubber, plastic, and other elastomeric materials. Built to meet and exceed ISO 2921 and ASTM D-1329 standards, the TR 2200 enables accurate evaluation of crystallization and viscosity comparison of rubber and rubber-like samples under low-temperature conditions. 

Advanced Testing Capabilities

The TR 2200 allows operators to stretch a sample, typically 50%, 100%, 150%, or 200% of its original length, cool it in a bath solution such as methanol or silicone grease, release it, and retract. The tester then records data to evaluate retraction behavior. Paired with Windows-compatible Benzwin software, supplied free with every unit, the system calculates retraction points, delivers real-time readings, and saves results for easy analysis and comparison. 

Users can analyze a sample under varying conditions or compare multiple samples simultaneously. The TR 2200 reports the elastomers’ low limit operating temperature, provides detailed percentages of retraction at different temperatures, and identifies the temperature range in which a material remains elastic. 

Complementary Use and Key Features

Often paired with the Benz BPT 2100 High Accuracy Brittlepoint Tester, the TR 2200 helps determine material suitability for low-temperature use. A standout feature of the instrument is its programmable testing options, allowing operators to select specific retraction points and define the end point of testing, significantly shortening test times. 

The TR 2200 also includes liquid nitrogen control as a standard feature, not an add-on option. This ensures highly accurate temperature control while reducing the need for operator intervention. 

Precision, Design, and Reliability

With measurement accuracy to within ±0.001 inches, the TR 2200 incorporates a unique sample holder that minimizes temperature deviation during bath immersion. The unit is constructed from hard-coated anodized aluminum and stainless steel and combines durability with an attractive finish. 

The tester has a one-year parts and labor warranty designed for convenience. It requires only 110/220 volts, 1-amp AC power, and 3 square feet of counter space. 

Availability

The Benz TR 2200 Temperature Retraction Tester is available directly from the manufacturer: 

Benz Unveils FF 2100 Fatigue-to-Failure Tester to Measure Elastomer Durability

PROVIDENCE, RI – Benz Materials Testing Instrument has introduced the Benz Fatigue-to-Failure Tester (FF 2100), a new system designed to accurately measure and record the number of repeated extensions elastomeric samples can withstand. This innovative tool allows researchers and quality control engineers to evaluate compound durability, compare and select materials, and test under extreme environmental conditions. The FF 2100 also enables the pretreatment of samples to determine how different conditions affect performance and test for consistency among sample lots. 

High-Capacity, Automated Testing

The FF 2100 features 32 testing stations, allowing simultaneous evaluation of multiple samples. It is PC-controlled, displaying real-time cycles on a monitor and producing histograms of sample groups that can be displayed or printed for detailed analysis. An optional environmental chamber allows for testing at elevated and depressed temperatures, expanding the scope of its applications. 

The FF 2100 can run automatically at speeds up to 500 cycles per minute. It requires minimal operator involvement. Samples are simply loaded, and the instrument runs independently. The system records failures at individual stations directly to the PC for precise monitoring. 

Integration with Other Benz Instruments

The FF 2100 is often paired with other Benz instruments for comprehensive elastomer analysis. These include the Benz Rheometer for cure rate testing, the Benz Viscometer for viscosity, the Benz Durometer for hardness, the Benz Specific Gravity Tester for density measurements, the Benz Block Oven to alter material characteristics, and the Benz Tensile Tester for tensile strength. Together, these tools deliver a complete evaluation of elastomer properties. 

Software and Compliance

The tester operates on Windows 95, NT, 98, ME, 2000, and XP using Benz’s proprietary Benzwin 2000 software, which is included with the unit. It conforms to ASTM D471 (Rubber Properties – Effect of Liquids) and ASTM D865 (Rubber – Deterioration), ensuring compliance with widely accepted testing standards. 

Design and Warranty

Built from anodized aluminum and epoxy-coated stainless steel, the FF 2100 combines durability with a compact design. Measuring only 20 inches wide, 20 inches high, and 15 inches deep, it is suitable for laboratories where space efficiency is essential. The instrument also has an extensive one-year parts and labor warranty, underscoring Benz’s commitment to reliability and customer support. 

Benz Unveils MV 2100 Mooney Viscometer for Advanced Elastomer Testing

PROVIDENCE, RI – Benz Materials Testing Instrument has announced the release of the new Benz Mooney Viscometer (MV 2100), a cutting-edge system designed to measure and record the viscosity of natural and synthetic rubber and plastic elastomers, including raw or compounded rubber. In addition, the MV 2100 determines the curing characteristics of compounded rubber, providing manufacturers and engineers with precise data essential for product quality, consistency, safety, and durability. 

More than a simple viscometer, the MV 2100 functions as a computer data acquisition system, offering digital P.I.D. temperature controls, real-time torque versus time display, statistical evaluation, and data manipulation. It operates seamlessly on Windows 95, NT, 98, ME, 2000, and XP. 

The testing begins with an 11-gram sample of elastomer placed into a melt chamber, where it is heated to 212°F (100°C). Pre-heating is carefully timed to maintain consistent initial viscosity readings. A serrated shearing disk, rotating at 2 rpm, applies torque up to 200 inch-pounds (200 dN•M) to the sample, causing it to flow. The torque is then measured and displayed as an x-y graph on the computer monitor. 

Engineers and quality control operators can record precise measurements using Benz’s proprietary Benzwin 2000 software, which is included with the instrument. When viscosity readings drop to a defined level, operators can identify both the torque and time required to reach minimum viscosity—critical indicators of whether a compound has been properly mixed with ingredients in the correct proportions. 

The MV 2100 also performs scorch tests, heating samples to 320°F (160°C) to measure and record how long a material will last in a mold before losing its elastomeric properties. Additionally, the system records stress relaxation, showing the resilience that remains in a sample after the spinning rotor is stopped. Plasticity values are displayed in inch-pounds (dN•M) and stored for later analysis. 

Meeting ASTM D1638 and other international standards, the Benz MV 2100 stands alongside other Benz Materials Testing Instruments, such as the Benz Brittle Point Tester and Benz Melt Flow Tester. It is widely used by chemical compound manufacturers, technical service centers, OEMs, and others requiring advanced elastomer testing solutions. 

The MV 2100 is designed for durability and efficiency and is built from aluminum and high-strength steel. It requires 20 x 22 inches (50 x 55 cm) of counter space, runs on 110 V or 220 V, and uses an 80 psi (4 bar) air pressure system to seal the sample chamber during testing. 

The Benz Mooney Viscometer MV 2100 is priced at approximately $25,000 and is available directly from the manufacturer: 

Benz Materials Testing Instrument 
73 Maplehurst Ave.,  
Providence, RI 02908  
Phone: (401) 331-5650  
Fax: (401) 331-5685 

For more information, contact: 
Ted Benz, President 
Benz Materials Testing Instrument 
Phone: (401) 331-5650  

Paul Streicker 
Streicker and Company Inc. 
Phone: (401) 435-0200 

Benz Materials Testing Instrument Unveils Six-Chamber Aging Oven and Advanced Mooney Viscometer

PROVIDENCE, RI – Benz Materials Testing Instrument has announced two innovations designed to improve efficiency, accuracy, and cost savings in elastomer and plastic compound testing: the new Six-Chamber Aging Oven (LGB-6) and the Benz Mooney Viscometer (MV 2100). 

The LGB-6 Six-Chamber Aging Oven is an inexpensive yet safe tabletop oven that saves space, energy, and money. Designed to test the aging properties of elastomer and plastic compounds, it is commonly used for seals, gaskets, bearings, hoses, belting, and O-rings. The oven’s six chambers allow efficient simultaneous testing while reducing the footprint in laboratories and technical service centers. 

The company has also introduced the Benz Mooney Viscometer (MV 2100), which measures and records the viscosity of natural and synthetic rubber and plastic elastomers, including raw or compounded rubber. It is also used to determine the curing characteristics of compounded rubber. 

More than a simple viscometer, the MV 2100 functions as a computer data acquisition system, equipped with digital P.I.D. temperature controls, real-time torque vs. time display, data storage for statistical evaluation, and advanced data manipulation. The instrument is compatible with Windows 95, NT, 98, ME, 2000, and XP operating systems. 

The MV 2100 accepts an elastomer sample, typically 11 grams, placed into a melt chamber and heated to 212°F (100°C). Pre-heating is precisely timed to ensure consistent viscosity readings. A serrated shearing disk rotates at 2 rpm, applying torque up to 200-inch pounds (200 dN•M) to the sample. This torque is measured and plotted on an x-y graph displayed on the PC monitor. 

The system records viscosity data using Benz’s proprietary Benzwin 2000 software, which is included with the instrument. Engineers and quality control operators can determine the torque and time required when the sample reaches a minimum viscosity. This provides insight into whether the compound has been mixed properly with ingredients in the correct proportions. 

The MV 2100 also performs scorch tests at 320°F (160°C), measuring the curing process to determine how long a sample will last in a mold before scorching and losing elastomeric properties. In addition, it records stress relaxation by measuring residual stress energy (resilience) once the rotor stops. Plasticity is graphed and recorded in inch-pounds (dN•M). 

Meeting ASTM D1638 and other international standards, the MV 2100, like other Benz instruments such as the Benz Brittle Point Tester and Benz Melt Flow Tester, is widely used by manufacturers, technical service centers, original equipment manufacturers, and others concerned with product quality, safety, and durability. 

Constructed of aluminum and high-strength steel, the MV 2100 requires just 20 x 22 inches (50 x 55 cm) of counter space and operates on 110 V or 220 V. Its 80 psi (4 bar) air pressure system secures the sample chamber during testing. The instrument is priced at approximately $25,000. 

Both instruments are available directly from Benz Materials Testing Instrument at 73 Maplehurst Ave., Providence, RI 02908. For more information, contact Ted Benz, President, Benz Materials Testing Instrument, at (401) 331-5650, or Paul Streicker, Streicker and Company Inc., at (401) 435-0200. Fax inquiries may be sent to (401) 331-5685. 

Benz Specific Gravity Tester SG 2100 Offers Greater Accuracy for Elastomer Analysis

PROVIDENCE, RI – Benz Materials Testing Instrument has introduced the new Benz Specific Gravity Tester (SG 2100), a precision instrument designed to quickly and accurately measure and record the specific gravity of elastomeric compounds. This innovation enables researchers and quality control engineers to determine the presence and percentages of compound components with greater control and accuracy. 

The SG 2100 automatically measures a compound’s dry and wet weights and computes the sample’s specific gravity to the nearest thousandth. When used alongside other Benz instruments, including a rheometer for cure rate, a viscometer for viscosity, a durometer for hardness, and a tensile tester for tensile strength, the SG 2100 allows for complete elastomer analysis. 

Running on Windows 95, NT, 98, ME, 2000, and XP, the SG 2100 is powered by Benz’s proprietary Benzwin 2000 software, which stores, displays, and compares test data and corrects for variations in bath fluid density. By allowing researchers to input non-water bath fluid densities at startup, the SG 2100 eliminates discrepancies often overlooked in testing. In conjunction with a Benz block oven, the system can also compute the volume swell percentage to determine whether compound elements have been driven off or absorbed, an essential factor in evaluating suitability for applications such as seals, piston rings, or gaskets. 

Built of anodized aluminum and stainless steel, the SG 2100 meets ASTM D471 (Rubber Properties–Effect of Liquids) and ASTM D865 (Rubber–Deterioration) standards. It features a mechanical stop to prevent weight overload and has an extensive one-year parts and labor warranty. Compact and efficient, the unit is only six inches wide, stands 20 inches high, accommodates beakers up to 250 ml, and costs about $5,000. 

The Benz Specific Gravity Tester SG 2100 is available directly from Benz Materials Testing Instruments, 73 Maplehurst Ave., Providence, RI 02908. For more information, contact Ted Benz, President, Benz Materials Testing Instrument, (401) 331-5650, or Paul Streicker, Streicker and Company Inc., (401) 435-0200. 

Benz TT2100 Tensile Tester Delivers Real-Time Force and Elongation Measurements

PROVIDENCE, RI – Benz Materials Testing Instrument has announced the availability of the Benz TT2100 Tensile Tester, a versatile testing system designed to measure a wide range of materials, including textiles, rubber, thin films, foils, leather, wire, plastics, composites, and light metals. 

What sets the TT2100 apart is its ability to display real-time force and elongation values on a computer monitor as testing occurs. The system also allows for immediate printouts of values on X and Y axes, enabling a deeper study of test results. “Stress and strain analysis no longer require interminable repeat testing and calculating,” said Ted Benz, president of Benz Materials Testing Instruments. “The TT2100 saves incredible time and allows engineers to determine exactly how they want materials to be constructed or what materials flunk their tests.” 

Beyond tensile testing, the TT2100 performs multiple functions, including tear strength, peel strength, adhesion, coefficient of friction, burst, proofload, and stress relaxation tests. Custom system variations can also be developed to meet unique testing requirements, making it a reliable tool for production managers, quality controllers, and researchers. 

The TT2100 operates on Windows 95, NT, 98, ME, 2000, and XP platforms and is offered with a Pentium PC. Despite its compact footprint, requiring less than two square feet of counter space, the unit provides powerful testing capabilities with a load capacity of up to 250 lbf, equal to 11,250 psi on a sample measuring .0250″ x 0.080″. Benz also manufactures larger tensile testers with capacities reaching 10,000 lbf. 

To further enhance testing flexibility, the TT2100 can be used with various grips, fixtures, adapters, temperature chambers, and high-elongation extensometers. 

For more information, contact Ted Benz, president of Benz Materials Testing Instrument, 73 Maplehurst Ave., Providence, RI 02908-5324.  

Phone: (401) 331-5650  
Fax: (401) 331-5685