Knowledge Base
Universal Testing Machine (UTM): Definition & Key Facts
Universal Testing Machine (UTM)
A Universal Testing Machine (UTM) is a precision mechanical testing instrument used to measure the physical properties of materials, components, and finished products under controlled tension, compression, flexure, peel, and shear forces.
The term “universal” reflects the machine’s ability to perform a wide range of standardised tests on a broad variety of materials — from flexible packaging films and foils, to rigid plastics, metals, composites, Polymers, Geotextiles and more.
What does a UTM measure?
- Tensile strength — the maximum force a material withstands before breaking
- Compressive strength — resistance to crushing or deformation under load
- Peel force — the force required to separate bonded or sealed layers
- Lap Shear – Measures strength by applying a force parallel to a bonded area
- Bending (Flex) Test – Measures the bend and resistance to forces, 3 or 4 point
- Puncture Test – Measures force to tear or puncture materials.
- Seal integrity — the strength of a heat seal or adhesive bond in packaging
- Elongation and yield point — how far a material stretches before permanent deformation
Applicable standards: ASTM E8, ASTM D790, ASTM D638, ASTM D695, ASTM D1037, ISO 527, ISO 6892
Industries: Aerospace, Automotive, Energy, Chemical, Metal, Geotextile, Construction, Packaging, Pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, medical devices, films and foils, general industrials
The UTM range from United Testing Systems
Industrial Physics offers the UTM range through United Testing Systems — a product line spanning 5kN to 600kN load capacity, designed to meet the test and measurement requirements of quality, R&D, and operations teams across a wide range of industries.
- UTM 5–25kN — laboratory-scale testing for Polymers, films, foils Etc..
- UTM 50–100kN — mid-range testing for Aluminum, metals, Composites rigid plastics and structural materials
- UTM 100–600kN — high-force testing for metals, composites, and heavy industrials
→ Read more in our Test Method Explainer: How Universal Testing Machines Work
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FAQs
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A Universal Testing Machine (UTM) is used to measure the mechanical properties of materials, packaging, and components by applying controlled tensile, compressive, or other forces to a test specimen. The results tell you how a material behaves under load — how strong it is, how far it stretches, at what point it fails, and whether it meets the requirements of the relevant standard.
Common applications include tensile testing of plastic films and foils, peel and seal strength testing of flexible packaging, compression testing of rigid packaging and structural materials, flexure testing of panels and composites, and elongation and yield point measurement for metals and polymers.
In quality control environments, UTMs are used to verify that finished goods or materials meet specification before they leave the facility. In R&D settings, they are used to develop new materials, validate new packaging formats, and test the performance of sustainable or lightweight alternatives.
The UTM range from United Testing Systems — part of the Industrial Physics group — covers load capacities from 5kN to 600kN, making it suitable for applications from delicate flexible films through to heavy structural components.
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The three hero configurations in the United Testing Systems UTM range are distinguished primarily by their load capacity, which determines the type and weight of specimens they can test accurately.
The DSTM 5–25kN is designed for low-force applications. It’s the machine of choice for testing thin flexible packaging materials, plastic films, adhesive tapes, foils, and fibres — where sensitivity and accuracy at low force values matter most. With a frame stiffness of 35kN/mm and crosshead speeds up to 1,016mm/min, it is well-suited to laboratory testing environments performing ASTM D790 and ASTM D638.
The UTM 50–100kN provides greater force capacity for mid-range applications. It’s suited to rigid packaging substrates, thick plastics, woven materials, and rubber compounds where more force is needed without stepping up to full industrial-scale capacity.
The UTM 100–600kN is engineered for high-force industrial applications — metals, composites, structural components, and heavy-duty assemblies. With a frame stiffness of 140kN/mm and a crosshead travel of 1,525mm, it handles demanding test programmes in both quality control and R&D settings.
Choosing the right machine comes down to matching load capacity to your specimen type. Our team can help you identify the right configuration for your application. Contact us here.
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UTMs from United Testing Systems are certified in accordance with ASTM E8 — the standard governing the calibration and verification of force-measuring systems used in tension and compression testing. This is the foundational compliance requirement for any UTM operating in a quality or R&D environment.
Depending on your application, UTM testing programmes typically reference the following standards:
- ASTM D790 — Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
- ASTM D638 — Standard Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials
- ASTM F1140 — Standard Test Methods for Internal Pressurization Failure Resistance of Unrestrained Packages
- ISO 527 — Plastics: Determination of Tensile Properties
- ISO 6892 — Metallic Materials: Tensile Testing
The UTM range’s A/D board is automatically standardised each time the system initialises, ensuring the machine is always operating from a calibrated baseline — supporting audit readiness and the production of standards-compliant test records.
→ See our UTM Glossary for definitions of key standards and terms
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