FOR MORE INFORMATION: Ted Benz, President, Benz Materials Testing Instruments, 401-331-5650 or Paul Streicker, Streicker & Company Inc., 401-435-0200.

PROVIDENCE, RI: The new Benz Specific Gravity Tester (SG 2100) quickly and accurately measures and records the specific gravity of elastomeric compounds, enabling researchers and quality control engineers to determine the presence and percentages of compound components.

The SG 2100 automatically measures the dry weight of a sample compound, then its wet weight, and then computes the specific gravity of the sample to the nearest thousandth.

Used in conjunction with a Benz rheometer to test the cure rate, a Benz viscometer to test viscosity, a Benz durometer to test hardness and a Benz tensile tester to determine tensile strength, the SG 2100 allows complete analysis of the elastomer to be tested.

The SG 2100 runs on Windows 95, NT, 98, ME, 2000 and XP, and can determine a sample's specific gravity, even if the bath is not pure water. Using Benz' proprietary Benzwin 2000 software, included with the SG 2100, a quality control analyst or researcher can correct for bath fluids with a density that is not 1.000, just by entering in the density at startup. This eliminates discrepancies caused by not calculating for different bath fluid densities.

With the Benzwin 2000 software, the Benz Specific Gravity Tester can also display, store and compare data to previous test results. It can, in conjunction with a Benz block oven, compute the percentage of volume swell, indicating if elements of a compound have been driven off, or if outside elements have been absorbed. This is particularly important in determining the properties of the compound in its final use; compounds that absorb oils, for example, might well be unsuitable for seals, piston rings or gaskets.

The SG 2100 conforms to ASTM D471 (Rubber Properties' Effect of Liquids) and ASTM D865 (Rubber's Deterioration).

Built of anodized aluminum and stainless steel, the Benz Specific Gravity Tester features a mechanical stop to prevent weight overloads. It carries an extensive one-year parts and labor warranty.

Only six inches wide, it preserves counter space. It stands 20 inches high and accomodates beakers up to 250 ml.

It costs about $5,000 and is available directly from the manufacturer, Benz Materials Testing Instruments, 73 Maplehurst Ave., Providence, Rhode Island 02908. Phone 401-331-5650 or fax 401-331-5685.