Q: When I grip a specimen it seems that some force is already being applied. Is there a way to avoid that?

A: The force applied to a specimen when the specimen is being gripped is a result of the compressive force that faces put on the specimen when gripping. To minimize this force, side action grips are recommended. However, if you're using wedge grips, we suggest a mechanical testing frame that features “Specimen Protect”, which adjusts the crosshead to minimize the compressive force that a specimen sees during gripping.

If you have additional questions around your gripping techniques or issues you may experience while gripping your specimen, let us know.