MTS Criterion C44 Universal Testing Machine (100 N – 30 kN)

Overview

The MTS Criterion C44 Universal Testing Machine is a floor-standing, dual-column electromechanical testing system engineered for high-precision mechanical characterization of materials and components across a wide force range—from 100 N to 30 kN. Built upon MTS’s proven Criterion 40-series architecture, the C44 employs a rigid, vibration-damped structural frame combined with a high-speed, maintenance-free AC servo drive and precision preloaded ball screw mechanism. Its integrated digital closed-loop controller delivers synchronized force, displacement, and strain control—enabling compliant execution of tensile, compression, flexure, shear, peel, and creep tests per international standards. Designed for laboratory and production QA/QC environments, the C44 meets essential CE machinery directives (2006/42/EC), low-voltage (2006/95/EC), and electromagnetic compatibility (2004/108/EC) requirements, with optional GOST-R certification for CIS markets. The system’s modular design supports seamless integration of environmental simulation (e.g., high-temperature furnaces up to 1200 °C and programmable climate chambers), extensometry, and advanced gripping solutions—ensuring traceable, repeatable data under controlled physical conditions.

Key Features

• Dual-column, floor-standing frame with high structural stiffness and optimized natural frequency to minimize dynamic error during high-speed loading
• MTS proprietary AC servo motor drive system delivering smooth, low-noise operation across full speed range—capable of full-force actuation at maximum crosshead velocity
• Integrated digital closed-loop controller housed within the load frame—eliminating external cabling complexity and enhancing signal integrity
• TEDS (Transducer Electronic Data Sheet)-enabled load cells enabling automatic sensor recognition, calibration parameter recall, and zero-offset compensation
• Non-clutch drive architecture ensuring continuous torque delivery without mechanical disengagement—even at peak load
• Precision-ground, preloaded ball screws with linear motion guides guaranteeing sub-micron positioning repeatability and axial alignment stability
• Comprehensive hardware safety suite: crosshead travel limits, force overload cutoff, thermal shutdown, and overvoltage protection
• Optional CE-compliant safety enclosure with interlocked access doors meeting EN ISO 13857 requirements
• Modular test space configuration—single-space for standard mechanical testing or dual-space (C44/C45 models) to enable simultaneous tension/compression setups and reduce changeover time
• T-slot tabletop and anti-rotation fixture interfaces for rapid, repeatable specimen alignment and multi-axis constraint

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Criterion C44 accommodates diverse specimen geometries and material classes—including metallic wires (diameters ≥0.1 mm), thin-gauge sheet metal (0.05–3 mm), polymer films (<100 µm), fiber-reinforced composites, elastomeric seals, adhesive lap joints, cellular foams, wood veneers, paperboard substrates, textile yarns, biomedical sutures, and small-scale structural components (e.g., fasteners, micro-springs, MEMS devices). All configurations support standardized test methods aligned with ASTM E4, E8/E8M, D638, D790, D3039, ISO 6892-1, 178, 527-1, EN 10002-1, and BS EN 13924. The system is validated for GLP-compliant operation when paired with TestWork software configured for 21 CFR Part 11 audit trails, electronic signatures, and secure user-role management—making it suitable for regulated industries including medical device manufacturing and aerospace component qualification.

Software & Data Management

TestWork™ software serves as the unified interface for test definition, real-time monitoring, post-processing, and report generation. It includes an expandable library of pre-validated test methods conforming to ASTM, ISO, DIN, EN, and BS standards—with built-in logic for automatic parameter derivation (e.g., modulus from linear region, yield offset, fracture energy). Raw data streams are captured at ≥1 kHz sampling rate with 24-bit ADC resolution and timestamped metadata (operator ID, environmental conditions, calibration status). Export formats include CSV, XML, PDF, and MTS-native .tdf files compatible with third-party analysis platforms (MATLAB, Python pandas, JMP). Audit trail functionality logs all user actions—including method edits, result overrides, and calibration events—with immutable timestamps and digital signature verification. Data integrity is further reinforced via configurable backup policies, role-based access controls, and encrypted local storage.

Applications

The C44 is routinely deployed in R&D laboratories and quality control facilities for mechanical property validation across sectors: polymer formulation labs assessing tensile strength and elongation-at-break of thermoplastics; automotive suppliers verifying weld integrity and composite laminate interlaminar shear strength; packaging engineers evaluating seal peel resistance and corrugated board crush performance; biomedical researchers quantifying suture tensile failure and hydrogel compressive modulus; and electronics manufacturers characterizing solder joint shear fatigue. Its dual-space capability enables concurrent evaluation of opposing mechanical behaviors—for instance, measuring both tensile ductility and compressive yield of syntactic foam cores used in marine buoyancy modules. When coupled with high-temperature furnaces, the system supports creep rupture testing of superalloys per ASTM E139, while environmental chambers facilitate humidity-dependent modulus tracking in hygroscopic biopolymers.

FAQ

What load capacities are available for the Criterion C44?
The C44 is offered in nine calibrated force ranges: 100 N, 250 N, 500 N, 1 kN, 2.5 kN, 5 kN, 10 kN, 20 kN, and 30 kN—each with corresponding load cell and grip assembly optimization.
Can the C44 perform strain-controlled testing?
Yes—via direct connection to MTS-compatible extensometers (e.g., 2630 series clip-on or non-contact video extensometers), the system executes closed-loop strain control with feedback rates up to 1 kHz.
Is TestWork software compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11?
When deployed with appropriate IT infrastructure (secure network, domain authentication, audit log retention policy), TestWork supports full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance—including electronic signatures, audit trails, and role-based permissions.
Does the C44 support automated test sequences?
Yes—TestWork allows creation of multi-step test protocols (e.g., preconditioning → ramp → hold → ramp → unload) with conditional branching based on real-time parameter thresholds.
What environmental systems integrate natively with the C44?
MTS-certified high-temperature furnaces (up to 1200 °C), sub-ambient climate chambers (−70 °C to +250 °C), and humidity-controlled enclosures (10–95% RH) connect via standardized analog/digital I/O and are fully controllable from TestWork.