msharief
My office has used the pad caps for over 2000 breaks, virtually all concrete was less than 5500 psi. Our corrolations with sulfer caps, taken at random and as part of our ASTM & CCRL required comparisons have been good, AS LONG AS THE CYLINDER ENDS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. Up until about a year ago we were corrolating at the rate of 5 pad caps to 1 sulfer cap. The sulfer has the advantage of taking care of minor to moderate end problems. Of course, all problem cylinder ends should be cut or ground, but this doen't always occur.
As far as damage to the machine, we have not observed any problems. The technician does have to exhibit a bit more care on the higher strength (more brittle) tests.