Gleeble thermal-mechanical simulators for materials testing and process simulationReproduce real process conditions in the lab
Gleeble systems heat a metal specimen at up to 10,000 °C/s and deform it under servo-hydraulic control. Recreate welding, hot rolling, forging, and casting conditions on a small sample, then develop alloys and set process parameters before production trials.
- Since 1957First built to simulate weld heat-affected zones
- 500+Gleeble systems installed worldwide
- 30,000+Research citations
- -150 to 3000 °CTest temperature range
Physical simulation
What is physical simulation?
Physical simulation is the reproduction, in a laboratory, of the thermal and mechanical history a material goes through during manufacturing or in service. A Gleeble system applies the same heating rate, peak temperature, deformation, and cooling as the real process to a small specimen and records how the material responds. Engineers then examine the specimen's microstructure and properties to predict how the full-scale process will perform.
- Lower development costReplace many full-scale production trials with lab tests
- Faster alloy developmentEvaluate new chemistries on small specimens
- Process optimizationSet and troubleshoot rolling, forging, and welding parameters
- Less scrapFind the right process window before production
- Consistent qualityIdentify what causes property variation in finished products
- Comparable dataGleeble results appear in more than 30,000 research citations
Gleeble technology
How Gleeble systems control temperature and force
Every Gleeble combines direct resistance heating with closed-loop servo-hydraulic loading. Temperature and force are controlled together, so each test follows its programmed schedule and can be repeated on the next specimen.
Direct resistance heating
Electric current passes through the specimen itself, so it heats from within instead of from a surrounding furnace. Compare direct resistance and induction heating.
- Heating rates from 0.01 to 10,000 °C/s
- Testing up to 3000 °C
- Lower energy use than furnace heating
Servo-hydraulic control
Closed-loop servo-hydraulic control applies force and displacement on a programmed schedule across a wide range of strain rates.
- Tensile and compression testing
- Complex thermal-mechanical schedules
- Live feedback during each test
Data acquisition
Temperature, force, stroke, and strain are recorded on synchronized channels, so mechanical response can be matched to temperature at any point in a test.
- Synchronized multi-channel recording
- Digital image correlation (DIC) option
- Integration with custom sensors
Thermal cycling and quenching
Program heating, holding, and cooling segments to match a real thermal history, including heat treatment and weld thermal cycles.
- Vacuum, inert gas, or oxidizing atmosphere
- Rapid quenching systems
- Controlled cooling rates
Process simulation
Manufacturing processes Gleeble systems simulate
Each process below can be reproduced on a laboratory specimen, so metallurgists can study microstructure, flow stress, and cracking without interrupting a production line.
Hot rolling
Multi-pass rolling schedules with inter-pass cooling
Forging and extrusion
Flow stress and recrystallization at high strain and temperature
Plane strain compression
Flow stress data for rolling mill models
Weld heat-affected zone (HAZ)
HAZ microstructure and toughness, the test the Gleeble was invented for
Continuous casting
Solidification, hot ductility, and crack susceptibility
Strip annealing and heat treatment
Continuous annealing, galvanizing, and heat treatment cycles
Products
Gleeble systems and models
Choose a fully integrated 3000 Series system or a dedicated 500 Series simulator, or add capabilities to an existing Gleeble with Mobile Conversion Units.
Gleeble 3000 Series
The Gleeble 3800-GTC, 3500-GTC, and 3180-GTC are fully integrated thermal-mechanical simulators for physical simulation and high-temperature mechanical testing. All three run Gleeble Touch Control (GTC).
Compare 3000 Series modelsGleeble 500 Series
Dedicated simulators for thermal-mechanical processing, weld simulation, and annealing.
View the 500 SeriesMobile Conversion Units (MCUs)
Interchangeable modules that add new test types to a Gleeble 3000 Series system.
View all MCUsUHTC System
Ultra-high-temperature testing for refractory metals and other advanced materials.
View the UHTC SystemSpecialty systems
Custom Gleeble configurations for research, including synchrotron beamline integration.
View specialty systemsGleeble Touch Control upgrade
Upgrade an existing Gleeble to the current GTC interface and control software.
View the GTC upgradeIndustries
Industries that use Gleeble testing
Steel producers, automakers, aerospace suppliers, power generation companies, and universities use Gleeble data for alloy design, process modeling, and material qualification.
Steel and metals processing
Hot rolling, forging, casting, and heat treatment simulation for steel and nonferrous producers.
Automotive and transportation
Formability and processing data for advanced high-strength steels and lightweight alloys.
Aerospace and defense
High-temperature testing of nickel superalloys, titanium alloys, and advanced materials.
Energy and power generation
Weldability and service-condition testing for power plant and pipeline materials.
Universities and research
Gleeble systems for materials research, teaching labs, and published studies.
Service and support
Gleeble training, service, and testing
Training and resources
Learn to plan and run Gleeble tests.
Service and maintenance
Keep your Gleeble accurate and in service.
Testing services
Get Gleeble data without buying a system.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Gleeble systems
What is a Gleeble?
A Gleeble is a thermal-mechanical physical simulator made by Dynamic Systems Inc. (DSI), a VPG brand, in Poestenkill, New York. It heats a metal specimen by direct electrical resistance and loads it with a servo-hydraulic system, so it can reproduce the temperatures and deformation of manufacturing processes in a laboratory.
Who invented the Gleeble?
Dr. Hugo Ferguson, Dr. Warren Savage, and Dr. Ernest Nippes developed the Gleeble in 1957 to simulate the heat-affected zone of arc welds. Read more in our history of innovation.
What temperatures and heating rates can a Gleeble reach?
Depending on the system and configuration, Gleeble testing covers -150 °C to 3000 °C, with heating rates from 0.01 °C/s up to 10,000 °C/s.
What tests can a Gleeble run?
Common Gleeble tests include tensile, compression, hot ductility, nil-strength, SICO, stress relaxation, and fatigue testing, along with simulation of welding, rolling, forging, casting, and heat treatment.
What is the difference between direct resistance and induction heating?
Direct resistance heating passes electric current through the specimen, which heats it from within. Induction heating uses a coil around the specimen to induce current in its surface. Gleeble systems offer both. See direct vs. induction heating.
Can I get Gleeble test data without buying a system?
Yes. DSI offers contract testing on its own Gleeble systems, and G-TEC in Europe provides testing and training services.
Gleeble systems are used by universities, national laboratories, and manufacturers worldwide
Contact Gleeble about your testing requirements
Send us your material, process, and test requirements. A Gleeble applications engineer will recommend a system, test method, or contract testing service.
+1 (518) 283-5350
info@gleeble.com