Metal Testing Equipment

Metal Testing Equipment

Metal testing equipment is used to assess the mechanical and structural performance of metals during manufacturing, processing, and final quality control. These systems assess hardness, tensile strength, ductility, impact resistance, and other performance indicators of materials, thereby guaranteeing that they comply with stringent engineering and safety standards.

At NextGen Material Testing, we offer a comprehensive selection of certified metal testing machines that are engineered to guarantee precision, repeatability, and adherence to international standards such as ASTM, ISO, and DIN. Our material testing systems are capable of supporting a diverse array of applications, including advanced analysis in research laboratories and quality control on the factory floor.

NextGen provides fully integrated solutions that are customized to meet your operational needs, including hardness testing systems, universal testing machines (UTMs), impact testers, metallography preparation tools, and tensile specimen milling equipment.

Read More...

Types of Metal Testing and Available Equipment

Different types of metal testing serve different purposes—some focus on surface hardness, others on structural strength, impact resistance, or sample integrity. That’s why selecting the right equipment depends on the specific property you’re testing and the industry standards you need to follow.

NextGen offers a full suite of testing systems to cover every stage of metal evaluation, from initial sample preparation to advanced mechanical testing. Whether you're checking the tensile strength of steel, verifying the hardness of treated surfaces, or analyzing fracture behavior, our equipment is designed to deliver consistent, standards-compliant results.

Metal Hardness Testing Equipment

Metal Hardness Testing Equipment – Bench Top and Portable SolutionsHardness testing is one of the most common methods used to evaluate the surface properties of metallic materials. It measures a material’s resistance to deformation when subjected to a controlled force through an indenter. At NextGen, we provide a complete range of bench-top and portable metal hardness testers capable of performing various test methods, including micro, macro, and standard-scale testing.

Our systems support Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, and Knoop methods, each suitable for different materials, geometries, and surface conditions. Whether you're testing thin coatings, case-hardened parts, or non-uniform castings, we offer the right equipment for accurate and repeatable results.

Common Standards Supported:

  • ASTM E18 – Rockwell hardness testing using depth-of-penetration methods
  • ASTM E10 – Brinell hardness testing using ball indenters and larger loads
  • ASTM E384 – Microhardness testing for Vickers and Knoop methods
  • ISO 6506 / ISO 6507 / ISO 4545 – International standards for Brinell, Vickers, and Knoop hardness testing, covering machine verification, procedure, and result interpretation

Universal Testing Machines (UTMs)

NextGen's Electromechanical Universal Testing Machines

Universal Testing Machines are the backbone of mechanical testing for metals. These systems apply tensile, compressive, flexural, and shear forces to evaluate the strength, elasticity, ductility, and failure behavior of test specimens. We offer both electromechanical and servo-hydraulic UTMs, designed for precise and reliable testing under static load conditions.

UTMs are useful for the determination of properties such as yield strength, elongation, ultimate tensile strength, and fracture load. Our machines are capable of handling an array of sample sizes and materials, as they are configurable for a number of fixtures and extensometers.

Common Standards Supported:

  • ASTM E8 / E8M – Tensile testing of metallic materials (flat and round specimens)
  • ASTM A370 – Mechanical testing of steel products
  • ISO 6892-1 – International method for tensile testing under ambient temperature
  • EN ISO 527 – Tensile properties of plastics and polymers (for multi-material applications)
  • ISO 7500-1 – Verification of UTM force accuracy and calibration

Metallography Sample Preparation Equipment

Comprehensive range of metallography sample preparation equipment by NextGen, including grinders, polishers, mounting presses, and precision cuttersMetallography plays a critical role in understanding the internal structure and grain behavior of metals. Before any microstructural analysis or surface testing can take place, samples must be properly prepared. NextGen offers a complete suite of metallographic preparation equipment, including abrasive and precision cutters, automatic grinders and polishers, mounting presses, and etching stations.

These tools are used to reveal surface features and prepare cross-sections for hardness testing, microscopy, or failure analysis. Consistency, safety, and compatibility with a diverse array of specimen types and sizes are the primary objectives of our systems.

Relevant Standards:

  • ASTM E3 – Guide for metallographic sample preparation
  • ASTM E407 – Microetching techniques to reveal grain boundaries and phases
  • ISO 6507 – Vickers hardness testing of prepared metallographic surfaces
  • ISO 4287 – Surface texture and roughness evaluation

Tensile Sample Preparation Equipment

Tensile Sample Preparation EquipmentProper specimen preparation directly affects the reliability of tensile test results. Deviations in specimen dimensions or surface finish can result in misleading data and failed certifications. At NextGen, we supply advanced flat and round tensile sample preparation machines tailored to meet key geometric tolerances and finish requirements for metals.

Our equipment supports rapid and precise machining of standardized samples used in UTMs, minimizing operator error and improving test repeatability. Custom fixtures and inserts are available to support various material types, including aluminum, steel, and Inconel.

Common Standards Supported:

  • ASTM E8 / E8M – Geometry and machining requirements for tensile specimens
  • ASTM A370 – Preparation and testing of steel and other metallic products
  • ISO 6892-1 – Tensile testing method including sample prep standards
  • DIN 50125 – Standard dimensions for metallic tensile specimens in Europe

Impact Testing Equipment (Charpy and Izod Systems)

Impact testing equipment from NextGenImpact testing is used to measure how materials respond to fast, high-energy loading conditions. It’s a vital method for assessing toughness, ductility, and the tendency of a material to fail in brittle or ductile modes—particularly in safety-critical applications. NextGen provides high-performance Charpy and Izod pendulum impact testing systems with manual and fully automated options.

Proper notching of specimens is critical in this process. We also offer sample preparation equipment that ensures accurate notch geometry, surface finish, and alignment for reliable impact results.

Key Standards Supported:

  • ASTM E23 – Notched bar impact testing (Charpy and Izod methods)
  • ISO 148-1 – Determination of impact energy using Charpy pendulum systems
  • EN 10045-1 – European Charpy impact testing standard for metallic materials

Consumables and Accessories for Complete Testing Workflows

Various consumables for metal testing including grinding papers, polishing discs, etching solutions, hardness test blocks, and metallographic mounts by NextGen

NextGen provides an extensive line of precision-matched accessories and certified consumables to guarantee that your metal testing equipment operates at peak efficiency. These parts are made to match each product type, helping your equipment run efficiently while supporting repeatable testing and minimizing wear over time.

We offer certified Brinell indenters, diamond cone Rockwell indenters, and Vickers/Knoop microhardness indenters for hardness testing, as well as traceable hardness test blocks that comply with ASTM and ISO calibration standards.

Also, we offer a diverse array of tensile specimen inserts, gripping fixtures, and cutting inserts for the machining of both flat and round tensile sample preparation. Our consumables have been engineered for various kinds of materials, including soft metals, hardened steels, and superalloys such as Inconel.

Our catalog contains abrasive cutting wheels, mounting resins, diamond suspensions, grinding papers, and polishing cloths for metallographic preparation. These items have been carefully chosen to make sure that they are compatible with a range of sample types and provide consistent surface finishes. Our products guarantee accurate results, no matter whether you are preparing a sample for microstructure analysis or Vickers hardness indentation.

Every item is backed by traceable manufacturing and designed for direct compatibility with NextGen systems and most third-party brands. We maintain a strategic inventory for fast delivery across North America, helping you reduce downtime and stay on schedule.

Industries and Applications for Metal Testing Equipment

NextGen’s metal testing equipment is trusted across industries where material strength, structural performance, and regulatory compliance are mission-critical. Whether used on the production floor or in R&D laboratories, these systems help validate material properties before components go into service.

Aerospace and Defense

Metal testing systems are integral in the aerospace manufacturing industry for the assurance of the hardness, tensile strength, and fatigue resistance of components used in structural frames, fasteners, and landing gear. Brinell and Rockwell testers are often used to confirm heat treatment results, while UTMs validate load-bearing capacity in accordance with international aerospace standards.

Automotive and Mobility

Metal testing equipment supports quality control in automotive production by measuring hardness in drive shafts, brake rotors, and transmission parts, and confirming ductility in welded joints and chassis components. Charpy impact testers are commonly used to assess brittle fracture behavior in high-speed collision scenarios.

Energy and Power Generation

In energy applications—especially in oil & gas, wind, and power infrastructure—hardness and tensile testing are used to confirm the mechanical integrity of pipes, pressure vessels, and turbine blades. These systems help ensure that metallic materials can withstand thermal cycling, corrosion, and high-load conditions over extended service lifespans.

Construction and Infrastructure

Materials testing is necessary in the fabrication of structural steel and civil engineering. Universal Testing Machines and metallography systems are used to assess the strength of reinforcing bars, anchor bolts, and welded joints in bridges, tunnels, and high-rise structures.

Metal Fabrication and Heat Treatment Facilities

Hardness testers and UTMs are used in machine shops and heat treatment plants to confirm compliance with client specifications. They help verify case depth after carburizing, monitor hardness profiles along welded seams, and confirm metal strength after forming or machining.

Research, Education, and Materials Development

Academic institutions and industrial R&D labs use metal testing equipment to develop new alloys, validate treatments, or simulate service conditions. Systems like Vickers/Knoop microhardness testers and metallographic sample prep machines are essential for fine-scale material evaluation and cross-sectional analysis.

Sub-categories

Metal Hardness Testing Equipment - Bench Top and Portable Solutions

Metal Hardness Testing Equipment - Bench Top and Portable Solutions

Hardness testing is the measure of how resistant a solid matter is to permanent shape change when an indenter is applied at a known force. Check out our range of Rockwell, Brinell, Micro/Macro Vickers and Knoop Hardness Testers.

Read more

Universal Testing Machines for Metal Testing

Universal Testing Machines for Metal Testing

Universal Testing Machines can be configured for static testing of multiple properties such as tensile, compression, flexure, tearing, peeling, bending and shearing tests. Check out our range of Force Stands, Electromechanical and Servo Hydraulic Universal Testing Machines.

Read more

Metallography Sample Preparation Equipment

Metallography Sample Preparation Equipment

NextGen metallography equipment is focused on the structure refining of metals and alloys. It specializes in different methods of speci-men preparation including cutting, polishing and grinding.

Read more

Pendulum Impact Testers - Charpy and Izod Systems

Pendulum Impact Testers - Charpy and Izod Systems

Pendulum Charpy/Izod Impact Testing is a high strain-rate test to determine the amount of energy absorbed by a material during fracture.

Read more

Consumables - Hardness Testing, Metallography, Tensile and More…

Consumables - Hardness Testing, Metallography, Tensile and More…

NextGen offers a full scope of Hardness Testing Consumables, Metallography Consumables, Tensile Testing Consumables, Tensile Sample Preparation Consumables, Abrasion Testing Consumables and more. You will be able to find an extensive variety of high quality consumables and spare parts at some of lowest pricing in the North American market.

Read more

Products

HDT/VICAT Testing Machine – Thermal Analysis for Plastics NG-HDT

HDT/VICAT Testing Machine – Thermal Analysis for Plastics NG-HDT

Description The HDT/VICAT testing machine offers high precision, reliability, and efficiency for the thermal analysis of thermoplastics and polymers. Engineered with advanced sensors and high-temperature-resistant components, it ensures minimal deformation, fast response, and precise data transmission, delivering consistent and accurate […]

Read more

NextGen GenTor Horizontal Torsion Tester

NextGen GenTor Horizontal Torsion Tester

NextGen GenTor Torsion Tester boasts a horizontal type load frame with high stiffness, ensuring accurate and reliable test results.

Read more

DWT-1800 Computer Controlled Drop Weight Impact Testing Machine

DWT-1800 Computer Controlled Drop Weight Impact Testing Machine

DWT-1800 Impact Testing Machine is specifically designed for determining the non-plastic transformation temperature of ferritic steel.

Read more