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Yarn shrinkage testers

Testrite, the world leader in sales and manufacture of yarn shrinkage testers, focused at ITMA 2007 on the renowned and reliable Mk3 Shrinkage Tester, along with the digital Mk5 Shrinkage and Force Tester.

Both are based on the original idea devised over 35 years ago to replace the oil and water-bath method of testing. These testers can give a result in one to two minutes, using closely controlled hot air ovens. The sample is passed through a small air gap at a set temperature this causes the sample to shrink and a result is recorded.

The testers have proven track record with the major tyre manufacturers worldwide, along with top yarn makers.

Best seller

The company's best selling Mk V Shrinkage and Force Tester features a heater and separate control module for ease of service and repair. Its three-term PID controller has deviation of just +/- 0.25degC. and a standard RS 232 output allows it to be easily linked to a PC and provide an ASCII output of load or shrinkage every time a graph point is plotted.

Its temperature range is from ambient to 250degC. with shrinkage range of -5% to + 32.5% with either a 0-25 Newton or 0-100 Newton force range.

PC-controlled smart tester

As a step into computer controlled equipment, Testrite has recently developed the SmartForce Shrinkage Tester, designed to manage all your shrinkage problems. A PC with dedicated software package can control the new machine.

Two simultaneous yarns can be tested at once, either for free shrinkage or shrinkage force. The unit will be completely computer-controlled. Test data can be archived and used in any way desired.

Economy model

Testrite's patented thermal shrinkage oven was designed in conjunction with Dunlop to determine the shrinkage at closely-controlled temperatures. Its original model, the AB1, has now evolved to the Mk3 version, but still remains a basic type unit with visual analogue results without the force-load facility. The unit is still available and a very popular economy model.

It has also since been modified to enable similar tests to be carried out on one-inch strips of fabric, as well as yarns, monofilaments etc. Samples under test are exposed to the controlled air between two 10-inch wide heated platens and shrinkage percentage is indicated on a non-linear calibrated scale, either digital (MkV) or analogue (Mk3).

Residual shrinkage can also be ascertained by removing the sample from heated zone and allowing it to cool. The Instrument has ASTM international designation number D4974.

Other test units

Other equipment supplied includes units for testing strength, twist, pilling and wear /abrasion.

Testrite has agencies in all major European, US and Asian countries, including India, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand. Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Vietnam etc.