PRECISION MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS

FOR EVERY THERMO-MECHANICAL SIMULATION

From non-contact optical dilatometers and Green LED extensometers to LVDT and strain gauge transducers, Gleeble measurement systems deliver laboratory-grade accuracy across every phase transformation, tensile test, high-temperature deformation study, and much more.

Your data is only as reliable as your measurement system

Materials researchers and process engineers face a fundamental challenge: thermo-mechanical testing generates data that is only useful when measured with the right instrument for the right condition. Contact-based systems that work well at ambient temperatures can introduce thermal artefacts and surface damage during high-temperature tests. Conventional laser-based optical dilatometers, while contactless, can be outpaced by rapid phase transformations. And general-purpose extensometers rarely have the dynamic range or resolution demanded by CCT/TTT dilatometry.

Gleeble measurement systems are purpose-built for Gleeble thermo-mechanical simulators. Whether you are generating transformation diagrams with the 39018 LVDT dilatometer, capturing full-field strain via Digital Image Correlation, or measuring sub-millimeter deformation with the strain gauge L-strain transducer, every system in the Gleeble portfolio is optimized for the thermal and mechanical conditions your Gleeble produces.

Choose from contact or non-contact optical extensometers, LVDT and strain gauge transducers, crosswise dilatometers, and hot zone instruments — all backed by DSI's engineering support and compatible with your existing Gleeble 3500-GTC or Gleeble 3800-GTC infrastructure.

High-Speed Measurement

The GaN LED optical system operates at twice the sampling speed of conventional laser-based dilatometers, capturing fast phase transformations that slower systems miss entirely.

Contact & Non-Contact Options

Select the measurement approach that best suits your specimen geometry and test temperature — from precision contact LVDT and strain gauge transducers to fully non-contact optical dilatometers and DIC systems.

Seamless Integration

Every system is engineered to integrate with the Gleeble 3500-GTC and 3800-GTC control architecture — no custom wiring, no third-party middleware, and no compromised data synchronization.

Scanning Non-Contact Optical Dilatometer & Extensometer with Green LED Technology

The Gleeble non-contact optical dilatometer uses a high-intensity GaN (Gallium Nitride) long-life LED paired with a precision HL-CCD sensor array to deliver high-speed, high-accuracy dimensional measurement with no physical contact and no moving parts. The result is a measurement system that outperforms conventional laser-based dilatometers in both speed and durability.

2× the speed of laser-based systems:

GaN LED illumination and HL-CCD detection enable measurement frame rates that capture rapid martensitic or bainitic transformations with temporal fidelity conventional systems cannot achieve.

Zero moving parts:

The solid-state optical design eliminates mechanical wear, reducing lifetime maintenance costs and improving long-term measurement repeatability.

Unique specimen-plane tracking:

A proprietary tracking algorithm ensures measurements are always taken in the correct optical plane, regardless of axial specimen displacement during heating or deformation.

Desktop configuration software:

Easy-to-use menu-driven setup software allows full controller configuration from a standard desktop PC without specialist hardware knowledge.

True non-contact dilatometry:

Eliminates contact-induced thermal errors, surface marking, and friction — critical for accurate CCT and TTT data generation in phase transformation research.

Dual function — dilatometer and extensometer:

The same optical unit can serve as both a non-contact dilatometer (crosswise diameter change) and a non-contact optical extensometer (lengthwise strain measurement), reducing the number of instruments required.

EXPLORE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS FOR YOUR MATERIALS TESTING

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Digital Image Correlation (DIC) Systems

Digital Image Correlation is a 3D, full-field, non-contact optical measurement technique that overcomes one of the fundamental limitations of traditional extensometry: two-point strain measurement. DIC provides complete deformation and strain field characterization across the entire test region, enabling researchers to detect localized necking, heterogeneous deformation, and strain gradients that point-to-point extensometers cannot resolve.

Full-field strain measurement: Characterize strain distribution across the entire specimen surface rather than measuring a single gauge length — essential for complex geometries, weld simulation zones, and non-homogeneous materials.
Elevated temperature capability: DSI's DIC configuration supports accurate measurement up to 2,000°C, enabling strain field analysis during high-temperature tensile, compression, and simulation tests.
High-performance cameras and lighting: Engineered optics and illumination packages are pre-matched for Gleeble environmental conditions, delivering repeatable image quality without custom configuration.
Broad test compatibility: Validated for tensile tests, Strain Induced Crack Opening (SICO), flow stress compression tests, and other Licensed software included: Professional DIC analysis software is bundled, enabling rapid post-processing and export of strain maps without additional license costs.

*For more information on DIC, please visit our dedicated DIC page.

Contact Measurement Systems

High-Accuracy Contact Extensometers, LVDT & Strain Gauge Transducers
DSI's contact measurement portfolio provides precise, repeatable strain and dilatometry data across a wide range of test geometries and temperature regimes. Available in LVDT and strain gauge configurations, these instruments are engineered for straightforward installation and reliable operation across both crosswise and lengthwise measurement axes. All systems are designed specifically for use in and out of the specimen hot zone on Gleeble systems.

Model 39060

Hot Zone L-Strain Transducer

An LVDT-type hot zone transducer designed for tensile tests or simulations involving large amounts of deformation in tension or compression. With 25 mm of travel, it accommodates significant specimen elongation without sensor saturation.

Model 39071

Hot Zone L-Strain Transducer (High Resolution)

A strain gauge-type hot zone transducer selected when high resolution measurement of small deformations is required — 5 mm of travel in tension and 2 mm in compression. The ideal choice for detecting phase transformation onset and subtle microstructural events.

Model 39010

C-Gauge Crosswise LVDT Dilatometer

A crosswise LVDT-type gauge with 12 mm of travel, designed to measure significant transverse deformation such as radial growth during compression or diameter change in round specimens. Directly outputs crosswise dimensional change for CCT/TTT diagram construction.

Model 39018

Dilatometer for CCT/TTT Data

Highly accurate and reliable, the 39018 dilatometer is the preferred instrument for generating Continuous Cooling Transformation (CCT) and Time-Temperature-Transformation (TTT) diagrams. Its precision crosswise measurement captures the small but critical dimensional changes associated with austenite decomposition and martensite formation.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT GLEEBLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

Which System Do You Need?

The correct instrument depends on measurement axis, travel range, temperature regime, and whether physical contact with the specimen is acceptable. Use this table as a starting point for instrument selection.

Instrument	Type	Axis	Travel / Range	High-Temp (>800 °C)	CCT / TTT	Full-Field Strain	No Contact
GaN LED Optical System	Non-contact optical	Crosswise & Lengthwise	Limited by optics field	✓	✓	~	✓
DIC System	Non-contact optical (3D)	Full surface	Full surface	~	–	✓	✓
39060 LVDT L-Strain	Non-contact optical (3D)	Lengthwise	25 mm	✓	–	–	–
39071 Strain Gauge L-Strain	Contact strain gauge	Lengthwise	5 mm / 2 mm	✓	~	–	–
39010 C-Gauge	Contact LVDT crosswise	Crosswise	12 mm	✓	✓	–	–
39018 Dilatometer	Contact crosswise	Crosswise	Precision range	✓	✓	–	–

SPECIFY THE RIGHT MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR YOUR GLEEBLE

Not sure whether your application calls for non-contact optical dilatometry, a contact LVDT transducer, or a full-field DIC system? Our engineering team will review your test requirements and recommend the optimal measurement configuration for your Gleeble system and materials program.

CURIOUS ABOUT GLEEBLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS?

From system capabilities and testing applications to setup, operation, and support—find clear, expert answers to help you move forward with confidence. Browse the FAQ to get the insights you need, fast.

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