SPECIMEN TABBING FIXTURES

There are four strips of tabbing material to maintain in proper alignment.

A typical fixture consists of two plates, aligned with each other via pins in the base plate that slip into close-fitting mating holes in the cover plate. Usually the plates are manufactured of high-strength, anodized aluminum, although in 17-4 PH stainless steel can also be used. Aluminum has a high thermal conductivity, which is desired. Two strips of tab material, covered with the adhesive of choice, are positioned adhesive side on the base plate, indexed against pins that establish the specimen gauge length. On top of these tabbing strips, is positioned the specimen panel. Then follow two more adhesive-coated strips of tabbing material, placed adhesive side down against the specimen panel and indexed against the same indexing pins as the first two tabbing strips. After is installed the cover plate. This set then, is placed between the plates of a press roll heated in order to cure the adhesive.

Source of Additional Information:

  • ASTM Standard D 1414-94 (1994; reapproved 2003), “Standard Test Methods for Rubber O-Rings,” American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania (originally published in 1956).