Tensile Test

The tensile test is the basic mechanical test in which a specimen is pulled uniaxially at a controlled rate while its force–elongation behaviour is measured. Yield strength, tensile strength, elastic modulus and elongation at break are calculated from the resulting curve.

The purpose is to numerically determine the material's strength and deformation capacity under load, providing input for material acceptance, process verification and design calculations.

• Metal semi-finished products such as sheet, section, bar and pipe
• Welded joints
• Plastic and composite specimens
• Wire and rope
• Adhesives and fasteners

• ISO 6892-1
• ISO 527-1
• ISO 527-2
• ASTM E8
• ASTM D638

Test speed

Strain- or stress-rate controlled per the standard; methods A/B are defined in ISO 6892-1

Environment

Room temperature (23 °C ± 5 °C), or high/low temperature per the specification

Gauge length

Proportional or non-proportional gauge length according to specimen geometry

Plastics

Conditioning at 23 °C / 50% relative humidity for ISO 527

• Universal tension–compression testing machine
• Force transducer (calibrated load cell)
• Extensometer or video extensometer
• Grips and specimen-mounting fixtures
• Temperature chamber, if required

• For metal, a round or rectangular-section specimen conforming to the standard
• For plastic, an ISO 527-2 Type 1A/1B tensile bar
• Generally at least three specimens per set
• The specimen surface must be free of notches and machining damage

Testing a single specimen generally takes a few minutes. Together with specimen preparation, conditioning and reporting, the typical time for a set is half to one working day.

1. 1Specimens are prepared to the geometry defined in the standard and their dimensions are recorded.
2. 2If required, specimens are conditioned at the defined temperature and humidity.
3. 3The specimen is mounted axially in the grips and the extensometer is fitted.
4. 4Tension is applied at the defined rate; force and elongation are recorded continuously.
5. 5Loading continues to fracture; the fracture location and type are recorded.
6. 6Yield strength, tensile strength and elongation values are calculated.

The acceptance criterion is given in the material or product standard; it is typically defined as a minimum yield strength, minimum tensile strength and minimum elongation at break. The criterion resides in the specification, not in the test itself.

Results are evaluated per specimen and as a set average. Specimens that fracture outside the gauge length or within the grips may be considered invalid, in which case the test is repeated.

• Applied standard and revision
• Specimen geometry and dimensions
• Test speed and ambient conditions
• Yield strength, tensile strength and elongation values
• Force–elongation curve and fracture type

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

• Material product standards
• Welding-procedure-qualification requirements

The section below describes the field that the Tensile Test test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

• Compression Test
• Bending Test
• Bend Test
• Shear Test
• Torsion Test
• Peel Test
• Adhesion Test
• Break Test
• Puncture Test
• Crush Test
• Compression Set Test
• Burst Strength