Tensile testing at room temperature (metallic materials)

What is it?

Mechanical testing is a procedure that includes tests, calculations, charts and consultation of tables in accordance with international standards. The mechanical testing of a material consists of subjecting a finished product or raw material that is to be used or processed industrially to situations which simulate the conditions that will apply during manufacturing and taking the material to its breaking point in order to obtain the mechanical properties.

What is it used for?

Tensile testing is the application of an increasing uniaxial load to the ends of the sample until it breaks, while, at the same time, the longitudinal deformation is registered. This process is widely used to characterise mechanical properties of metallic materials. It reveals a stress/strain curve that shows how the material reacts to the load applied during the test. Data from this test can provide important information for evaluating the mechanical properties such as maximum tensile strength, break strength, elastic tensile strength, elastic modulus, elongation after breakage and the reduction of cross section area.

Equipment and working conditions

The equipment used to perform these tests is a SHIMADZU Autograph, with a load capacity of 100kN. Could be tested samples of circular cross-section with diameters between 4mm and 20 mm, as well as rectangular section samples up to 14 mm thickness and less than 50 mm in width. The modulus of elasticity is determined using the SHIMADZU MFA 25 extensometer.

Example of use

Mechanical tests are used to ensure the quality of raw materials, components and finished products in a wide range of industrial applications, including:
- Construction industry: Determination of mechanical properties of the metallic materials used in construction, as well as various equipment used for safety in works (eg lifelines, anti-fall nets).
- Automotive industry: Determination and control of the mechanical properties of raw materials used in the manufacture of some automotive components.
- Metal-mechanic industry: quality control, verification of specifications, etc.