Plastometrex

HardwareCambridge, United Kingdom (HQ); Houston, TX, USAFounded 2018· One of 1818 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

A hardware-software platform that enables rapid, non-destructive mechanical testing of metals using Profilometry-based Indentation Plastometry (PIP) technology to extract full stress-strain curves in minutes from indentation tests.

CEO / Founder: Dr. James Dean
Team Size: 11-50
Stage: Active
Total Funding: $7.73M
Latest Round: Seed
Key Investors: Element Materials Technology, Vanneck EIS, Reimagined Capital, Martlet Capital (EMV Capital)

Technology & Products

Key Products

PLX-Benchtop (with MultiScale capability), PLX-HotStage (high-temp add-on up to 800°C), PLX-Portable

Technological Advantage

Combines accelerated inverse finite element analysis (FEM) with surface profilometry to extract complete stress-strain curves (yield strength, UTS, work hardening behavior) from a single 5-minute automated indentation test. Replaces traditional tensile testing which requires hours and destructive sample preparation.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Reduces mechanical testing time from hours/days to minutes using non-destructive indentation testing that requires minimal sample preparation, enabling rapid material qualification, in-situ testing, and high-resolution property mapping.

How They Differentiate

Only company with ASTM-standardized Profilometry-based Indentation Plastometry (PIP) technology (ASTM E3499-25). Combines inverse finite element analysis with surface profilometry to extract complete stress-strain curves in 5 minutes from non-destructive indentation tests.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Aerospace companies (OEMs and supply chain), defense contractors, oil & gas operators, additive manufacturing facilities, pipeline operators, materials research institutions, and industrial manufacturing companies.

Industry Verticals

Aerospace & Aviation, Defense & Military, Oil & Gas, Additive Manufacturing, Pipeline Infrastructure, Materials Testing Laboratories, Nuclear Energy, Industrial Manufacturing

Competitors

Solus Testing, Metaltest UK, The Test House, Univer Technologies Group, Mecmesin Newton House

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Grown to 40+ employees since 2018 launch. Technology deployed by major aerospace companies and prestigious universities across 15+ countries. Achieved ASTM standardization (E3499-25) for PIP technology.

Major Milestones

Founded in 2018, Seed funding closed Jul 2020 led by Element Materials Technology, PLX-Benchtop product launched Q4 2020, Innovate UK SMART grant secured 2022, Leonardo aerospace partnership announced Feb 2023, Airbus standardization partnership announced Sep 2024, ASTM standard E3499-25 approved 2025

Notable Customers

Airbus, Babcock, Element Materials Technology, Renishaw, ASTRO America, NASA, Nikon, Leonardo, XCEL

https://www.plastometrex.com

Recent coverage of Plastometrex

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

Plastometrex offers a hardware-software platform for rapid, non-destructive mechanical testing of metals, targeting a gap in material qualification workflows that traditionally require hours of sample preparation and destructive tensile tests. Its Profilometry-based Indentation Plastometry (PIP) technology extracts yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and work hardening behavior from a single automated indentation test in about five minutes. The company led the development of ASTM standard E3499-25, the only international standard recognizing indentation plastometry for bulk metal stress-strain curves.

The core product line includes the PLX-Benchtop system with MultiScale capability and a portable PLX-Portable unit. PIP combines surface profilometry with accelerated inverse finite element analysis to reconstruct the full stress-strain curve from the indentation imprint. This approach requires minimal sample preparation and is non-destructive, enabling in-situ testing on components or high-resolution property mapping across a part surface. The technology applies to both conventionally manufactured and additively manufactured metals.

Plastometrex serves aerospace primes and their supply chains, defense contractors, oil and gas operators, pipeline infrastructure firms, and materials testing laboratories. Named customers include Airbus, Babcock, Element Materials Technology, Renishaw, and ASTRO America. Partnerships extend to NASA, Leonardo, Air Liquide, MIT, and 3D Systems. The company has grown to over 40 employees since its 2018 founding and has deployed systems across 15 countries.

The company's strategic moat rests on its ASTM standardization and first-mover position in commercialized indentation plastometry for bulk metal properties. A single patent (WO2024183872) covers aspects of the technology. With $7.73 million in total funding from investors including Element Materials Technology and Reimagined Capital, Plastometrex competes against traditional mechanical testing service providers such as Solus Testing and Metaltest UK. The key open question is whether the PIP method gains broad adoption beyond early aerospace and defense adopters, particularly in high-volume production environments where speed and non-destructiveness are critical.