What Is Tensile?
The tensile test is a test in which a plastic (ISO 527) or rubber (ISO 37) sample prepared in standard geometry is pulled at a constant speed; It is the test where tensile strength, elongation at break and tensile modulus are determined.
Purpose of Tensile
The purpose is to verify that the strength and ductility properties of the material meet the specification limits.
Which Products Is Tensile Applied To?
- Injection and extrusion plastic parts
- Films and sheets
- Elastomer and gasket materials
- Takviyeli kompozitler
In Which Sectors Is Tensile Used?
Standards Related to Tensile
- ISO 527-1
- ISO 527-2
- ASTM D638
- ISO 37 (rubber)
- ISO 6892 (separate standard for metal)
Tensile Conditions
- Specimen
- Type defined in the standard (e.g. ISO 527-2 Type 1A/1B, ISO 37 ring or double spade)
- Tensile speed
- Defined in the standard; separate low speed is used for module measurement
- Conditioning
- Duration defined in the standard at 23 °C ± 2 °C and 50 ± 10% relative humidity
- Quantities measured
- Tensile strength, yield strength, elongation at break, tensile modulus
Equipment for Tensile
- Caliber universal tester
- Extensometer (contact or optical)
- Sample cutting die or processing bench
- Air-conditioned conditioning room
Sample Requirements for Tensile
- Sample dimensions and thickness must comply with the standard
- Sample edges must be free of notches
- Conditioning must be completed in the environment defined in the standard
- The number of samples is usually at least five
Duration of Tensile
Typically 3–5 days including conditioning.
Tensile Procedure
- 1Samples are prepared and conditioned according to the standard.
- 2Thickness and width are measured.
- 3The extensometer is fitted.
- 4Pulling is applied at a defined speed.
- 5The load–elongation curve is recorded.
- 6Strength, elongation and modulus are calculated.
Tensile Acceptance Criteria
Acceptance criteria are the minimum strength and elongation values given in the material standard or specification.
Evaluation of Results
Pulling speed and conditioning change the result significantly; plastics are viscoelastic. Module measurement is done separately and at a lower speed; the module value read from the same experiment may not comply with the standard.
Tensile Report
- Applied standard and sample type
- Conditioning conditions
- Tensile speed
- Measured strength, elongation and modulus
- Rupture shape and location
Accreditation
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.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
- Material product standards
- Automotive and electrical product specifications
Tekstil Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the Tensile 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.
Textile testing answers two questions separately: does the fabric hold up physically over its service life, and does it carry any substance restricted for human health? These two axes require different laboratory infrastructure and different decision mechanisms.
On the physical side, breaking and tear strength, abrasion resistance, pilling, dimensional change, colour fastness and water and oil repellency are measured. Most of these tests depend on the USE SCENARIO: Martindale abrasion cycles are decisive for an upholstery fabric, while dimensional change in washing and colour fastness come to the fore for a shirting fabric. The same fabric goes through a different test set for a different use.
Colour fastness is a body of work of its own in this field and is not a single test. The fastness of the same fabric to light, washing, rubbing, perspiration, saliva, chlorinated water and ironing is measured separately; each represents a different moment of use. Results are rated from 1 to 5 on the grey scale and the specification gives a separate minimum rating for each agent.
On the chemical side, aromatic amines released from azo dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals, phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, alkylphenols and PFAS compounds are screened. These items come from REACH restrictions, brand restricted substance lists (RSL) and voluntary schemes such as OEKO-TEX. Brand lists are often stricter than legislation; the target customer is decisive.
There is NO CE marking on consumer textiles. The obligation has three legs: fibre composition and care labelling, compliance with chemical restrictions, and general product safety. Textiles claiming a protective function (workwear, flame-resistant clothing, high-visibility clothing) fall under personal protective equipment legislation, where CE is mandatory — this distinction is commercially critical.
Verifying the label declaration is the most routine work in the field. Quantitative fibre analysis confirms the blend ratio stated on the label; tolerance ranges are defined in legislation. An incorrect fibre declaration both misleads the consumer and affects customs classification.
Sustainability claims have added a new body of work to the field in recent years: verification of recycled content (GRS, RCS), organic content (GOTS), restriction of harmful chemicals and water/energy footprint declarations. These claims now require auditable evidence.
Method groups in this field
Strength and durability
Strip and grab breaking strength, tearing by the Elmendorf and tongue methods, seam strength, bursting strength.
Abrasion and surface
Martindale and rotary platform abrasion, pilling and fuzzing, fabric mass and thread density measurements.
Dimensional stability
Dimensional change in washing and drying, wrinkling behaviour, appearance after ironing.
Colour fastness
Fastness to light (xenon), washing, rubbing, perspiration, saliva, water and chlorinated water; rating on the grey scale.
Functional properties
Water repellency (spray test), oil repellency, waterproofness, air permeability, effectiveness of antibacterial finishes, UV protection factor.
Chemical analyses
Aromatic amines from azo dyes, formaldehyde, pH, heavy metals, phthalates, chlorinated phenols, PFAS and alkylphenols.
Commonly confused in this field
- A brand restricted substance list (RSL) may be stricter than legislation; REACH compliance does not mean compliance with the customer specification.
- Textiles claiming a protective function fall under PPE legislation and require CE; an ordinary textile test report does not satisfy that file.
- Colour fastness is not a single number; a rating cannot be interpreted without stating which agent it relates to.
- A result obtained for a fabric does not cover the whole garment made from it; lining, sewing thread, print and trims are assessed separately.
- Performance claims after washing are valid together with the stated number of wash cycles; the word "permanent" on its own is not verifiable.
Which decisions these results support
- Compliance with the brand restricted substance list (RSL)
- Verification of label declarations: fibre composition and care instructions
- Determining the performance class of upholstery and technical textiles
- Pre-import shipment inspection and lot acceptance
- Supporting sustainability and recycled content claims
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About Tensile
According to which standard is Tensile made?
Tensile is executed in scope ISO 527-1, ISO 527-2, ASTM D638, ISO 37 (rubber) and ISO 6892 (separate standard for metal). The limit values and acceptance criteria to be applied are defined in the product standard; The version valid for your product is confirmed in writing at the offer stage.
Which products does Tensile apply to?
Mainly applied to Injection and extrusion plastic parts, Films and sheets, Elastomer and gasket materials and Takviyeli kompozitler. Whether your product is included in the scope is determined by examining its technical specifications and intended use.
Under what conditions is Tensile done?
The determining parameters are: Specimen — Type defined in the standard (e.g. ISO 527-2 Type 1A/1B, ISO 37 ring or double spade), Tensile speed — Defined in the standard; separate low speed is used for module measurement and Conditioning — Duration defined in the standard at 23 °C ± 2 °C and 50 ± 10% relative humidity. The full terms are in the "Test Conditions" section on the page and vary depending on the product standard.
What kind of sample is needed for Tensile?
Sample dimensions and thickness must comply with the standard, Sample edges must be free of notches and Conditioning must be completed in the environment defined in the standard. The number of samples is determined according to the product standard and the scope to be reported.
How long does Tensile take?
Typically 3–5 days including conditioning. This duration belongs to the experiment itself; sample preparation, queuing and reporting are also evaluated. A realistic schedule for your product is given in the offer.
What is the Tensile result called "appropriate"?
Acceptance criteria are the minimum strength and elongation values given in the material standard or specification.