Tensile Testing

 

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Tensile testing as an approach that is widely used to determine the mechanical properties of materials by applying certain loading rates at a constant displacement or strain rate. The slow strain rate is a method to characterise the Young’s modulus of the material as well as the proof stress whereas the higher strain rate is a method to quantify the maximum tensile strength (UTS) after which the sample eventually fractures.

These tests are done using tensile testing machines that are capable of testing the material at elevated temperatures. The elongation, or strain, is measured using calibrated extensometers of various materials and capabilities. This type of testing is essential to determine the tensile properties of the materials under conditions that are likely to be encountered in real-life applications. This will help to decide on whether a material has lost a huge amount of its strength over time and therefore can help decision makers on the health and safety of structures.

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