Gleeble 3800-GTC

The Gleeble 3800-GTC System offers the versatility and performance needed for today’s demanding research applications. Each system includes the all-new Gleeble Touch Control (GTC) console, Windows workstation, load unit with test chamber, and a hydraulic power supply.

Click here to download the Gleeble Solutions Guide

Thermal-Mechanical Physical Simulation System

The Gleeble 3800-GTC is the most powerful standard system offered by Dynamic Systems Inc. and is capable of exerting as much as 20 tons of static force, heating specimens at a rate exceeding 10,000ºC/sec and achieving stroke rates up to 2,000mm/sec. The system’s flexibility allows for a wide variety of testing and simulation options, however its impressive capabilities make it particularly well suited for hot rolling and multi-hit forging simulations.

Designed to offer capabilities for hot deformation simulations on large specimens, the Gleeble 3800-GTC is equipped with a heavy-duty mechanical system and high-speed servo valves for quick response. Through its powerful physical simulation capabilities, the Gleeble 3800-GTC delivers the technical leverage that competitive organizations need to cut costs, shorten time to market, and open the door to new ideas.

The Gleeble 3800-GTC features an integrated touch-screen display with a Windows®-based computer, along with an array of powerful processors to provide an extremely user-friendly interface for preparing simulation programs, providing digital closed-loop control of the thermal and mechanical systems and collecting test data and subsequently analyzing the results.

Every Gleeble 3800-GTC is equipped to use Mobile Conversion Units (MCUs) which allow the Gleeble to be changed easily from one test configuration to another. The result is a system unequaled for physical simulation capabilities.

The Thermal System

The direct resistance heating system of the Gleeble 3800-GTC can heat specimens at rates of more than 10,000°C/sec, or can hold steady-state equilibrium temperatures within ±1°C. Thermocouples or an optional infrared pyrometer provide signals for accurate feedback control of specimen temperature. Water-cooled jaw carriers hold the specimen, making the Gleeble 3800-GTC capable of high cooling rates. The maximum cooling rate is determined by the size, shape, temperature, and composition of the sample. The thermal system provides smooth control of cooling from equilibrium to the maximum rate for any given specimen. An optional quench system can produce cooling rates in excess of 10,000°C/sec at the specimen surface.

Induction Heating Option: Gleeble 3500-GTC and 3800-GTC systems, including the Gleeble 3800-GTC-20/20, can be supplied with an optional Induction Heating system to complement the industry leading performance of the well-known Gleeble direct resistance heating technology.

Induction heating is suited for use in uniaxial compression testing (flow stress) where it can provide a uniform temperature across the specimen from anvil to anvil. Induction heating can also be used in tensile testing. The system allows the user to select either induction or resistance heating based on the needs of each specific test. The full capability of the high speed Gleeble direct resistance heating system is still maintained, allowing heating rates up to 10,000ºC/second when using direct resistance heating. The two heating systems are both integrated to work on the Gleeble and software can be used to select which heating system is used in each test.

Click here to learn more about the Gleeble Induction Heating option.

The Mechanical System

The Gleeble 3800-GTC mechanical system is a complete, fully integrated system capable of exerting as much as 20 tons of static force in compression and 10 tons of force in tension. Stroke displacement rates can be programmed to be as fast as 2,000mm/sec. A closed-loop hydraulic servo system provides precise control of all mechanical variables. Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs) provide feedback to ensure accurate execution and repeatability of the mechanical test program. The mechanical system features control feedback mode transition capabilities that allow the operator to program changes from one control mode to another during a given test. This capability provides the versatility that is necessary to simulate many thermal-mechanical processes. The program can switch between control variables at any time and as often as required during the test. Control modes that are available include stroke displacement, force, crosswise extensometry, lengthwise extensometry, true stress, true strain, engineering stress, and engineering strain.

Gleeble 3800-GTC Specifications:

Force	Maximum Compressive Force	20 Metric Tons
	Maximum Tensile Force - Gleeble 3800-GTC (Standard)	10 Metric Tons
	Maximum Tensile Force - Gleeble 3800-GTC-20/20	20 Metric Tons
Stroke	Maximum Stroke Distance	125 mm
	Maximum Stroke Rate	2000 mm/sec
	Minimum Stroke Rate	.001 mm/sec
Temperature Control	Maximum Temperature	3000 °C
	Maximum Heating Rate	10000 °C/sec
	Maximum Quenching Rate	10000 °C/sec
	Maximum Specimen Size	20 mm diameter

Applications

Materials Testing:

• Hot/warm tensile testing on many

      different specimen geometries
   • Hot/warm compression testing
      – Uniaxial compression
      – Plane strain compression
      – Strain Induced Crack Opening
         (SICO)
   • Develop stress vs. strain curves
   • Melting and solidification
   • Nil strength testing
   • Hot ductility testing
   • Thermal cycling/heat treatment
   • Dilatometry/phase transformation
      – On heating and/or cooling
      – Continuous or non-continuous
      – Isothermal
      – Post deformation
   • Stress relaxation studies
   • Creep/stress rupture
   • Fatigue
      – Thermal fatigue
      – Thermal/mechanical fatigue

Process Simulation:

• Continuous casting
   • Mushy zone processing
   • Hot rolling
   • Forging
   • Extrusion
   • Weld HAZ cycles
   • Upset butt welding
   • Diffusion bonding
   • Continuous strip annealing
   • Heat treating
   • Quenching
   • Powder metallurgy/sintering
   • Synthesis (SHS)

Measurement Systems

Gleeble systems are available in several models, each with a wide variety of available options and configurations. This flexibility allows the tailoring of a Gleeble system to meet your exact testing requirements. DSI offers a range of measurement systems including contact and non-contact options. Click here to learn more about some of DSI's most popular measurement options.

The Gleeble 3800-GTC Digital Control System

The heart of the Gleeble 3800-GTC is the all-new Gleeble Touch Control (GTC) system which provides a user-friendly interface enabling Gleeble operators to program and control the system. It provides all the signals necessary to control thermal and mechanical test variables simultaneously through the digital closed-loop thermal and mechanical servo systems. The Gleeble 3800-GTC can be operated totally by computer, totally by manual control, or by any combination of computer and manual
control to provide maximum versatility in materials testing.

The Gleeble 3800-GTC has a full set of software tools available. The operator can create tests on the workstation through a number of programming options, including QuikSim IITM software, a spreadsheet-like, fill-in-the-blanks software that describes each action in a test sequence. Other options for creating more elaborate tests include Deformation Control Software and Gleeble Script Language. In designing the operator interface for the Gleeble 3800-GTC, DSI engineers recognized that highly
flexible control is essential for machine performance. As a result, the 3800-GTC provides the operator total flexibility in control of the system.

Add Capabilities with Mobile Conversion Units (MCUs):

Gleeble 3800-GTC systems are equipped to use Mobile Conversion Units (MCUs) which include a test chamber with grips or anvils and are mounted on wheels so that one MCU may be rolled away from the Gleeble and another MCU configuration rolled on. Each MCU offers unique testing and simulation capabilities and can be added to the Gleeble 3800-GTC. MCUs include:

General Purpose MCU: Standard with all Gleeble 3800-GTC systems, the General Purpose MCU the most flexible MCU with both tension and compression capabilities and a wide range of grip types and materials to test many different types of samples.

Hydrawedge®: The ultimate tool for optimizing hot rolling and forging processes, the Hydrawedge MCU is ideal for researchers who wish to optimize multiple-hit, high speed deformations. With independent control of strain and strain rate and a mechanical stop to eliminate deformation overshoot, the Hydrawedge II has become an invaluable component in laboratories at the world’s leading metals producers and forging specialists.

Hot Torsion: The Hot Torsion Mobile Conversion Unit (MCU) adds world-class hot torsion testing capability to Gleeble® 3500- GTC and 3800-GTC Systems. The system is capable of applying torque up to 100 Nm (50 Nm standard configuration) and test specimens can be heated or quenched at any time during the test, providing researchers with flexibility for developing tests and simulations with maximum impact.

MAXStrain®: The MAXStrain multi-axis hot deformation system is a unique research tool that can subject materials to virtually unlimited strain under precise control of strain, strain rate, and temperature. Specimens are heated and rotated 90 degrees between multiple, successive compressions resulting in very high strain levels and producing a sample of ultrafine-grain or nanoscale material that is large enough for subsequent properties testing.

Additional Equipment: DSI offers numerous additional options for the Gleeble platform. Optional equipment, fixtures and customizations include a variety of strip annealing simulation tools, the Ultra-High Temp MCU capable of conducting simulations up to 3,000ºC and the Laser-Ultrasonic Sensor for In-Situ Metallurgy Microstructure Studies (LUMet).

Thermal Cycles and Heat Treatments: Many different grips are available to support uniform temperature zones and a variety of specimen configurations. Other grips can be used to provide thermal gradients in the specimen for weld HAZ and process simulation.
ISO-T Flow Stress Compression Testing: ISO-T flow stress compression anvils provide a uniform temperature distribution throughout the compression specimen during single- and multiple-hit deformation tests.
Melting & Solidification: Melting and solidification can be performed in-situ. Thermal and mechanical testing of the as-cast structure can then be performed.
Strain Induced Crack Opening (SICO) Procedure: A Gleeble exclusive, the SICO procedure is a quick and cost-effective method for thermomechanical process optimization.
Hot/Warm Deformation: Plane strain compression test. In single- or multiple hit compression tests, strain and strain rate are controlled separately yet synchronously using the optional Hydrawedge®.
Strip Annealing Process Simulation: Both batch and continuous annealing processes can be simulated using a strip annealing jaw system.

For additional information and customization options,

please contact us at info@gleeble.com or +1 (518) 283-5350.

2024 European User Meeting - April 29-30, Illertissen, Germany

Connect with Gleeble experts, fellow users, and explore the latest advancements in materials testing technology at DSI Europe GTEC Center - Illertissen, Germany . Register here.

Ceramics Expo - April 30- May 1, Michigan, USA

The DSI team will be attending the 2024 Ceramics Expo in Novi, Michigan, USA. Please come by to discuss how the Gleeble can support your research. Register here

Dr. David Matlock

Colorado School of Mines

"Flexibility is the key to our extensive use of the Gleeble. It helps us to get maximum productivity out of the work we do."

Dr. Leijun Li

Utah State University

"On the Gleeble we can not only control all the mechanical properties, but we’re in command of the thermal properties and the atmosphere. With the Gleeble, we can do complicated applications, watch what is happening, see the effect of temperature, and know how much energy is going in. It would take a lot more time and money to do it with equipment other than the Gleeble."

Dr. Hirowo Suzuki

Nippon Steel (retired)

“In my opinion, Dynamic Systems is the top company in this kind of test equipment… worldwide.”

Dr. Arnold Marder

Energy Research Center, Lehigh University

“What we are aiming at is intelligent processing. That’s where the Gleeble gives us a tremendous advantage. By allowing us to carefully simulate and model thermal and mechanical processes”

Dr. Luis A. Colembergue Klujszo

Gerdau Aços Especiais Piratini

"Through the capability of simulating large scale, expensive processes in a small scale, laboratory environment, the Gleeble has made it easier for Gerdau to improve products and processes. Furthermore, all the controls available in the equipment bring a whole lot of reliability to the results, making the conclusions very sound."

Dr. Mahesh Chaturvedi, Ph.D., FASM

University of Manitoba, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

“We want to understand what the fundamental causes for thermo-mechanical fatigue are, so we use the Gleeble to apply load and temperature, sometimes in sync and sometimes out of sync. The Gleeble can keep going for days, executing the same program again and again... it gives us excellent reproducibility.”

Dr. Hans Peter Schmitz

ThyssenKrupp Stahl

“ In our labs, we do physical simulation… We try to reproduce as precisely as possible what is going on in the actual production lines. If you do it very carefully, you can transfer the result into the production lines, and you can use the results for building up numerical models."

Chihiro Kasamatsu

Material Evaluation Department Aichi Steel Corporation

“…we are concentrating on testing with the Gleeble to reduce costs in our forging production processes…”

Tom Schambron

Bluescope Steel

"…world research and innovation are cornerstones of our business - the Gleeble is key to meeting the objectives of BlueScope. It assists in product development and improvement—such as trialling new steel grades, processing parameters, and so forth—and in tracking and solving of quality issues."

Dr. Brian Damkroger

Los Alamos National Laboratory

"Only the Gleeble is fast enough to allow us to physically simulate the thermal profile of electron beam welding”

Damien Fabrègue

The Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (National Institute of Applied Science) de Lyon, Villeurbanne, France

"...this is the only piece of equipment that I can do everything with. I can always do what I want. It may take some time to optimize the work, but in the end, you can always run the experiment or do the simulation that you wanted to do."

Dr. Warren Poole

University of British Columbia

"We had to generate all the parameters and then to validate the predictions that the computer model made… The Gleeble played a central role in that project. We did austenite grain growth studies, double-hit compression tests to study recrystallization, and continuous cooling transformations, with and without compression."

Dr. John Bowker

Former Senior Research Scientist CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory (CANMET-MTL)

"The Gleeble is one of the most heavily used machines at our lab... We have used and continue to use it for a broad range of thermo-mechanical simulation procedures. These include: welding applied to shipbuilding, marine materials, offshore structures and pipelines; compression testing to characterize the flow stress behavior of steels and aluminum alloys: and in situ melting and solidification to understand the effects of residuals on hot ductility."