The grips in which the ends of the test specimens are held are of flat jaw type and have serrated faces to prevent slipping. One of the grips is connected to a force measuring arrangement, while the second grip is mounted on a screw arrangement. The screw is rotated with the help of a motor and gearbox, which causes the grip to move at the specified rate. This movement applies the splitting force on the test specimen.

The force needed to propagate the split is measured on a spring dynamometer. The upper grip is suspended from the hook of the dynamometer. The force exerted is indicated on a circular dial. A dummy pointer provided in front of the dial stops at the maximum force exerted before the split propagates.

The apparatus is finished in shore blue matalic painting and bright chrome / zinc plating to give it a corrosion resistant finish.

Technical specification