In the fields of manufacturing, quality control (QC), research and development (R&D), and education, accurate and reliable material testing is critical to ensuring product performance, validating material properties, and advancing innovation. For industries working with plastics, rubber, and other high-elongation materials—where measuring mechanical behavior like tensile strength, flexibility, and durability is essential—having a versatile testing system is non-negotiable. The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine Material Testing Machine emerges as a standout solution, offering a 2.5 kN (562 lbf) force capacity, high precision, and seamless integration with advanced software and accessories. Designed to meet or exceed global material test standards, this tabletop system balances a compact footprint with a spacious, flexible work area, making it suitable for diverse environments from factory floors to university labs. This overview delves into The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine core features, software capabilities, hardware components, technical specifications, and underlying testing principles, highlighting why it is a trusted tool for material characterization.  

 

 

The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine is a high-precision material testing system engineered to deliver consistent, accurate results across a wide range of test types. At its core, it combines a robust mechanical framework with intelligent software and modular accessories—including grips, fixtures, extensometers, and load cells—to create a versatile platform for testing plastics, rubber, films, wires, and other materials. One of its most notable attributes is its 1400 mm (55.1 in) crosshead travel, which makes it ideal for high-elongation materials that require significant stretch before failure, such as elastic rubbers or thin plastics. Complementing this is a 150 mm (5.9 in) throat depth and a range of configurable worktables (eg, expanded tables, T-slot tables, drip trays), providing ample space for larger specimens and adapting to varied testing needs.  

 

The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine is designed to prioritize both flexibility and safety in the work area, adapting to diverse testing scenarios while protecting operators and equipment. Its modular design allows for easy integration of accessories to expand capabilities: a temperature chamber can be added for testing materials under controlled thermal conditions, while safety splinter shields (available in three heights with electrical interlocks) prevent debris from escaping during sample failure—critical for testing brittle materials like certain plastics or composites.  

 

For testing large specimens (up to 2 x 2 m / 78.7 x 78.7 in), The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine is compatible with AMETEK Lloyd’s unique POGO system, a specialized setup that accommodates oversized samples while optionally supporting elevated or low-temperature testing. This makes the system suitable for applications like testing large rubber sheets, composite panels, or industrial components that exceed the size limits of standard testing machines.  

 

The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine technical specifications underscore its precision, reliability, and adaptability to diverse environments. Key specifications include:  

Force Capacity: 2500 N (562 lbf)  

Crosshead Travel: 1400 mm (55.1 in) (standard, between eye ends)  

Crosshead Speed Range: 0.01–2032 mm/min (0.0004–80 in/min); maximum return speed: 2032 mm/min  

Speed Accuracy: ±0.2% of selected speed (for 2% to 100% of maximum speed, unloaded)  

Load Resolution: 0.0001 N (2.2×10⁻⁵ lbf) (load cell-specific)  

Load Accuracy: ±0.5% from 1% to 100% of the load cell’s full value  

Extension Resolution: <0.15 microns  

Data Sampling Rate: 8 kHz (ensures capture of fast transient events, eg, sudden sample failure)  

Compliance: Meets EN ISO 7500:2004 (Class 0.5) and ASTM E4 standards for load measurement  

Environmental Range: Operating temperature: +5 to 35°C (41 to 95°F); storage temperature: -17 to 54°C (0 to 130°F); relative humidity: 20% to 85% (non-condensing)  

Power Requirements: 115 VAC / 230 VAC (±10%), 50–60 Hz; maximum power: 500 VA  

Dimensions & Weight: Height: 1910 mm (75.2 in); width (excluding console): 460 mm (18.1 in); depth: 557 mm (21.9 in); base height: 108 mm (4.3 in); weight: 82 kg (180 lb)  

Safety & Compliance: All systems are CE marked and conform to relevant EU standards; on-site verification per ASTM E4 and ISO 7500-1 is recommended for ongoing accuracy.  

 

To understand how The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine delivers accurate results, it is essential to explore the testing principles behind its core test types, as well as how the system’s hardware and software work together to execute these tests. At a fundamental level, all material tests involve applying a controlled force or displacement to a specimen, measuring the specimen’s response (eg, deformation, failure), and analyzing the data to derive material properties (eg, strength, elasticity, toughness). The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine uses its YLC load cells to measure force, extensometers to measure deformation, and NEXYGENPlus to control the test sequence and record data—ensuring that each test adheres to standard protocols and produces reproducible results.  

 

Tensile Testing  

Tensile testing is used to evaluate a material’s ability to resist pulling forces and measure properties like tensile strength, yield strength, elongation at break, and modulus of elasticity. The principle involves:  

Securing a specimen (eg, a plastic dog-bone or rubber strip) in The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine grips (eg, wedge-action or pneumatic grips).  

The crosshead moves upward at a controlled speed, applying an axial tensile force to the specimen.  

The YLC load cell measures the force applied, while an extensometer (contacting or non-contacting) measures the specimen’s elongation.  

NEXYGENPlus records force and elongation data in real time, generating a stress-strain curve (stress = force/initial cross-sectional area; strain = elongation/initial length).  

Key properties are derived from the curve: yield strength (force at which the material begins to deform plastically), tensile strength (maximum force before failure), and elongation at break (percentage of stretch at failure).  

 

Compression Testing  

Compression testing assesses a material’s resistance to crushing or deformation under axial compressive forces, used to measure properties like compressive strength, compressive modulus, and yield point. The principle is:  

The specimen (eg, a plastic cylinder or foam block) is placed between The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine compression platens.  

The crosshead moves downward at a controlled speed, applying compressive force to the specimen.  

The load cell measures the compressive force, while an extensometer or the crosshead’s displacement sensor measures the specimen’s compression (reduction in height).  

NEXYGENPlus records force and compression data, generating a force-displacement or stress-strain curve. Compressive strength is the maximum force the specimen can withstand before failure (eg, cracking or buckling).  

 

Flexural Testing  

Flexural testing (bending testing) evaluates a material’s ability to resist bending forces, critical for rigid materials like plastics, composites, or metals used in structural applications. It uses 3-point or 4-point bending jigs, with the principle:  

The specimen (eg, a plastic beam) is supported at two ends (3-point) or four ends (4-point) on the jig.  

The crosshead applies a downward force at the midpoint (3-point) or between the inner supports (4-point), creating a bending moment in the specimen.  

The load cell measures the applied force, while an extensometer measures the specimen’s deflection (bending) at the midpoint.  

NEXYGENPlus calculates flexural strength (maximum stress at the outer fiber of the specimen) and flexural modulus (stiffness in bending) from the force-deflection data.  

 

Friction Testing  

Friction testing measures the force required to slide two surfaces against each other, used to evaluate material properties like coefficient of friction (COF)—critical for applications like packaging (eg, film slip resistance) or mechanical components. The principle involves:  

One specimen is fixed to The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 worktable, and the other is attached to a grip connected to the load cell.  

The crosshead moves at a controlled speed, sliding the upper specimen across the lower one.  

The load cell measures the frictional force between the surfaces. NEXYGENPlus calculates the COF as the ratio of frictional force to the normal force (weight of the upper specimen or applied downward force).  

 

Insertion/Extraction Testing  

This test measures the force required to insert a component into another (eg, a pin into a socket) or extract it, used to evaluate assembly forces, connection strength, or durability of mechanical joints. The principle is:  

The stationary component is secured to the worktable, and the moving component is attached to the load cell.  

The crosshead moves to insert or extract the component at a controlled speed.  

The load cell records the force vs. displacement, with NEXYGENPlus identifying key values like maximum insertion force (to ensure assembly feasibility) or extraction force (to assess joint retention).  

 

Peeling Testing  

Peeling testing evaluates the strength of adhesive bonds between two layers (eg, film and substrate, tape and metal), measuring the force required to separate the layers. The principle involves:  

One layer is fixed to the worktable, and the other is clamped to The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine upper grip.  

The crosshead moves at a controlled speed (typically at a 90° or 180° angle) to peel the layers apart.  

The load cell measures the peel force, and NEXYGENPlus calculates the average peel strength (force per unit width of the specimen), indicating the bond’s integrity.  

 

Tearing Testing  

Tearing testing measures a material’s resistance to tear propagation, used for flexible materials like rubber, films, or fabrics. The principle involves:  

A pre-notched specimen is clamped in The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine grips (eg, vice-action grips for films).  

The crosshead applies a force to extend the notch, causing the tear to propagate.  

The load cell measures the tear force, and NEXYGENPlus calculates tear strength (force per unit thickness or width), indicating the material’s ability to resist tearing.  

 

Creep/Relaxation Testing  

These tests evaluate a material’s long-term mechanical behavior under constant conditions, critical for applications where materials are exposed to sustained loads (eg, structural plastics, rubber seals).  

Creep Testing: A constant force is applied to the specimen, and The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine measures deformation over time (hours, days, or weeks). NEXYGENPlus records creep strain (deformation/initial length) vs. time, identifying creep rate (rate of deformation) and creep rupture (time to failure under constant load).  

Relaxation Testing: The specimen is stretched to a constant deformation, and the load cell measures how the force decreases over time (as the material “relaxes”). NEXYGENPlus records stress (force/area) vs. time, calculating relaxation modulus (stress/strain at a given time) to assess the material’s ability to maintain tension.  

 

The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine Material Testing Machine stands out as a versatile, precise, and user-friendly solution for material characterization across QC, R&D, and education. Its combination of a robust mechanical design (with large crosshead travel and high stiffness), modular accessories (grips, extensometers, POGO system), and advanced NEXYGENPlus software (with standard compliance, automation, and data integration) makes it adaptable to diverse materials and test types—from tensile tests on rubber to creep studies on plastics. By adhering to global standards and prioritizing safety and flexibility, The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine ensures that users can generate reliable data to validate material performance, optimize products, and drive innovation. Backed by AMETEK’s reputation for quality (and supported by regional offices worldwide), The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine is more than a testing machine—it is a long-term investment in ensuring material integrity and operational excellence. Whether for a small QC lab or a large R&D facility, The AMETEK LLOYD LS2.5 Material Testing Machine delivers the precision and versatility needed to meet the demands of modern material testing.