New tensile rig finds more precise way of measuring pasta's breaking point

Stable Micro Systems has launched a pioneering instrument to measure the force required to stretch cooked pasta or noodle samples to breaking point (tensile strength), thus providing an accurate measure of their extensibility.

The Noodle/Pasta Loop Tensile Rig, which attaches to the established TA.XTPlus texture analyser, aids manufacturers in testing the resilience and consumer appeal of cooked sheet pasta and noodles.

Guidelines for pasta cooking times are typically trialled extensively to ensure that consumers can produce ideal results at home but this new instrument will help give a more precise solution for creating cooked pasta of a right texture.

Previous clamping methods have encountered difficulties due to unequal pressure and failing at the sample mounting points.

The new rig therefore comprises a unique annular sample cutter, producing a sample shape that impedes breakage at the holding points, leading to more accurate test data.