Vicat Softening Temperature Testing Machine

Determines Vicat softening temperature and heat deflection temperature (HDT) of plastics. Tests up to 6 samples simultaneously with ±0.1°C accuracy and fast cooling system.

Vicat and HDT on one instrument

Vicat softening temperature (ISO 306, ASTM D1525) and heat deflection temperature (ISO 75) tell you at what temperature a plastic starts to lose its shape — one under a point load, the other under a bending load. This machine runs both methods in a heated bath from 20 °C to 300 °C with ±0.1 °C accuracy and 0.001–0.003 mm deflection resolution. Configurations with 1, 3 or 6 test stations let a lab test several specimens at once, and fast cooling (50–120 °C/h) shortens the wait between runs.

• 6 simultaneous samples
• Temperature range: 20–300°C
• ±0.1°C accuracy
• 0.001–0.003 mm resolution
• Fast cooling: 50–120°C/h
• Touchscreen: 5.7", 7", 10.1"

Standards

• ISO 306 — Plastics — Vicat softening temperature (VST)
• ASTM D 1525 — Vicat softening temperature of plastics
• ISO 75 — Plastics — temperature of deflection under load (HDT)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Vicat and HDT?

Vicat measures the temperature at which a flat-ended needle penetrates 1 mm into the specimen under a 10 N or 50 N load. HDT measures the temperature at which a bar under three-point bending reaches a specified deflection. The two values are not interchangeable.

Which heating rates are used?

The standards specify constant heating rates, typically 50 °C/h or 120 °C/h, which the device controls automatically.

How many samples can be tested at once?

Depending on the configuration, 1, 3 or 6 specimens are tested simultaneously, each with its own deflection measurement.

Which materials are tested?

Thermoplastics such as PVC profiles and pipes, PE, PP, ABS and engineering plastics — wherever heat resistance in service has to be proven.

Thermal Analysis Systems