Tensile tests are used to determine how materials will behave under tension load.
In a simple tensile test, a sample is typically pulled to its breaking point to determine the ultimate tensile strength of the material.
The amount of force (F) applied to the sample and the elongation (∆L) of the sample are measured throughout the test.
Material properties are often expressed in terms of stress (force per unit area, σ) and strain (percent change in length, ε).
To obtain stress, the force measurements are divided by the sample’s cross sectional area (σ = F/A).
Strain measurements are obtained by dividing the change in length by the initial length of the sample (ε = ∆L/L).
These values are then presented on an XY plot called a stress-strain curve.
Testing and measuring procedures vary based on the material being tested and its intended application.
As materials apart, our testing machines accurately calculate mechanical properties such as tensile strength, peak load, elongation, tensile modulus, elastic deformation, young's modulus, proportional limit and yield.