Ribbon Steel Cutting Dies
Ribbon Steel Cutting Dies for ASTM Specimen Preparation
Ribbon steel cutting dies are designed for efficient, repeatable preparation of test specimens from soft materials such as elastomers, rubber, foams, films, and flexible plastics. Constructed from precision-formed, sharpened steel strip (ribbon steel), these dies provide a cost-effective and highly accurate solution for producing standardized specimen geometries used in routine materials testing.
Optimized for lower cutting forces, ribbon steel dies are typically used for material thicknesses ranging from 0 to 3 mm, depending on material hardness and press capability. The thin, sharpened cutting edge allows for clean, low-distortion cuts, reducing edge damage and preserving specimen integrity—critical for achieving consistent tensile, tear, and elongation results.
These dies are widely used for specimen preparation in standards such as ASTM D412, ASTM D624, and ASTM D638 (for thinner, flexible materials), where uniform specimen geometry directly impacts test accuracy. The flexibility of ribbon steel construction allows for a wide variety of shapes, including bone-shaped (dog-bone), trouser tear, and strip specimens.
Ribbon steel dies are best suited for lower-volume testing environments, softer materials, and applications where reduced cutting force and cost efficiency are important. While not intended for thick or highly rigid materials, they offer excellent performance for standard lab workflows focused on elastomers and flexible polymers.
Universal Test Machine Co. provides a full range of ribbon steel cutting dies, along with arbor presses and supporting accessories, delivering a complete and scalable solution for ASTM-compliant sample preparation.
