Top Load Tester for Bottles: Working Principle and Key Parameters

A top load tester for bottles is a dedicated compression testing instrument designed for containers with cylindrical or irregular shapes. Compared with general-purpose universal testing machines, specialized top load testers offer better alignment, higher repeatability, and application-focused software.

Important technical parameters include:

• Force range and accuracy to cover lightweight PET bottles and rigid containers
• Displacement resolution for detecting early deformation
• Stable and adjustable test speed, ensuring compliance with standards
• Alignment fixtures and compression platens to keep axial loading consistent

For example, Cell Instruments’ TLT-01 Top Load Tester supports a wide speed range and precise force control, making it suitable for both research and routine quality control environments.

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Top Load Tester for PET Bottles: Focus on Material Behavior

A top load tester for PET bottles must address the specific mechanical characteristics of thermoplastic materials. PET bottles often exhibit ductile behavior, where yield occurs before complete failure. In such cases, the yield load becomes more meaningful than the ultimate collapse force.

PET bottle testing typically focuses on:

• Crushing yield load
• Deflection at yield point
• Load–displacement curve shape
• Apparent stiffness during initial compression

These parameters help engineers evaluate lightweighting strategies while avoiding excessive deformation during stacking.