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Tensile testing of metals and plastics

A tensile test, which are also called Tensile test or Tensile strength test is an experimental procedure used to determine the mechanical properties of a material or structure under tensile load This test is used in many industries and in the material development used to provide important information about the strength and Extensibility of a material.

goal of a tensile test

The main objective of a tensile test is to Tensile strengththe Stretch limitthe elongation at break and other important mechanical properties of a material. This information is crucial to determine the correct material selection to meet the Quality control ensure and optimally design components

carrying out the tensile test

  1. Sample preparation: A sample of the material to be tested is formed into a special mold, typically in the shape of a cylindrical rod or pull bar. The samples are carefully prepared to ensure that they are free of surface defects or contaminants.

  2. Fixing the sample: The prepared specimen is clamped into a tensile testing machine capable of applying a controlled tensile force to the specimen. The specimen is usually clamped at both ends.

  3. Application of traction: The tensile testing machine gradually increases the tensile force while simultaneously measuring the strain (force) and strain (change in length) of the specimen. Tensile testing is usually carried out until the specimen breaks or until a predefined strain value is reached.

  4. Recording the results: During the test, the load and strain are continuously monitored and recorded. This allows the creation of a stress-strain diagram showing the strength properties of the sample.

  5. Evaluation of results: The data obtained are analyzed to evaluate the tensile strength, yield strength, elongation at break and other mechanical properties of the material.

Important parameters in tensile tests

beginning of constriction
X
During tensile testing, the specimen expands and, in many cases, it contracts just before failure. This contraction is called necking and is an indicator of the ductile deformation of the material. Ductility is the ability of a material to deform plastically under load without failure. Necking is an important characteristic observed and measured during tensile testing. It is often expressed as a percentage of the original cross-section and provides information about the material's ability to deform plastically before it breaks. Materials with a higher tendency to neck are generally more ductile and can accommodate larger deformations before failing.
fracture my tensile test
X
Tensile fracture is a crucial event that occurs during mechanical testing of materials. During this test, a specimen is pulled under increasing axial load until it breaks. There are several types of fracture patterns that can be observed during tensile testing and they provide important information about the mechanical properties and failure behavior of the material being tested.
upper yield point
X
The upper yield strength is an important indicator of the ability of a material to deform elastically before it becomes plastic. It marks the transition point between the elastic region, where the material returns to its original shape after the load is removed, and the plastic region, where permanent deformation occurs. In tensile tests, the upper yield strength is often defined by meeting a certain strain criterion, for example a strain of 0,2%. The upper yield strength ReHReH​ is then measured as the stress at this defined strain.
upper yield point
X
In contrast to the upper yield strength, which is usually defined by a strain of 0,2%, the lower yield strength is measured at a larger plastic deformation, typically at a strain of 0,5% or more. The lower yield strength indicates how much strain the material can take before permanent deformation occurs. In tensile tests, the upper yield strength is often defined by meeting a certain strain criterion, for example a strain of 0,2%. The upper yield strength ReHReH​ is then measured as the stress at this defined strain.
elongation at break
X
The elongation at break A is an important mechanical property of materials, especially metals and alloys. It indicates how much a sample has been extended by the tensile load. It is usually measured after the test.
uniform stretching
X
This number indicates the percentage by which the sample experiences uniform elongation before it begins to flow.
Tensile strength Rm
X
Tensile strength, symbolized as Rm​, is an important mechanical property of materials, especially metals and alloys. Tensile strength is the maximum load that a specimen can withstand under axial tensile loading before failure. Mathematically, tensile strength is defined as the ratio of the maximum tensile force to the original cross-sectional area of ​​the specimen.
elastic modulus
X
The elastic modulus is defined as the ratio of stress to the corresponding strain within the elastic range of the material. The elastic modulus indicates how much a material responds to an external tensile load by deforming while still being within the elastic range. Materials with a higher elastic modulus are stiffer and require a greater external force to achieve a given strain, while materials with a lower elastic modulus are more flexible and deform more easily. The elastic modulus is an important quantity in materials engineering and plays a key role in many applications including structural design, structural analysis, mechanical engineering, and material selection. It is often a deciding factor in selecting materials for specific applications where stiffness and ductility are important.

Our services: Tensile testing according to international standards

Tensile tests on plastics?

All services in the field of plastics such as analysis, material testing, fire tests, environmental simulation as well as surface testing and damage analysis can also be found in our GWP plastics laboratory

The testing machines in our laboratory