The rail shear test fixture GZ RS-50 / GZ RS-50 H for specimens with V-shaped notches is suitable for the quasi-static characterisation of the shear properties of fibre-reinforced plastics. The test fixture is used for testing short, long and continuous fibre-reinforced plastics with thermoplastic or thermoset base compounds and is used for unidirectional layers and/or fabrics as well as multilayer composites (sandwich laminates).

The test fixture is characterised by a significantly improved handling compared to similar fixtures. Lateral guides prevent the jaws from slipping out and tilting during specimen changing. Predefined markings allow precise settings for different specimen thicknesses. Positioning facilitates the alignment of the two fixture halves to each other. Precise positioning of the specimen in the test fixture is achieved with a two-axis guide system.

With the hydraulic version GZ RS-50 H, the specimen is clamped by means of a hydraulic clamping jaw system. During the test procedure, the hydraulic system readjusts the clamping force. This ensures that the specimen remains reliably clamped even with decreasing thickness due to load redistribution effects and shear distortion, and that even minimal slipping out is prevented. In addition, the hydraulics ensure an evenly distributed clamping force.