Tensile Testing of Metal and Polymer Materials

Element specializes in providing industry leading tensile testing services for a wide range of metallic and polymer materials.

Our state-of-the-art tensile testing laboratories provide conditions for exposing the resistance of materials to a static or slowly applied force. This fundamental materials science test provides a wealth of valuable material property information to companies across any conceivable industry for use in material selection, quality control, and R&D initiatives.

Our tensile testing processes

Tensile testing is a destructive mechanical testing method that subjects a material sample to uniaxial tension until failure.

Our tensile testing capabilities require the placement of machined specimens into our tensile testing apparatus where they are then subjected to applied loads. The resulting elongation of materials is measured by an extensometer or strain gauge, where the stress obtained at the highest level of applied force determines the tensile strength of the specimen in question.

Tensile testing specimens are precision machined from raw stock material into a sample of predetermined dimensions and grip ends based on the specification to be followed.

The yield strength is the stress at which a prescribed amount of plastic deformation (commonly 0.2%) is produced, while elongation describes the extent to which the specimen is stretched before a fracture occurs.

Our tensile testing capabilities allow us to assimilate critical information relating to the strength, stiffness and ductility of materials in line with your production requirements and business needs.

Tensile testing applied with expertise and technical precision

Element’s machinists utilize a variety of advanced techniques at our on-site machine shops, including a full suite of manual and automated CNC solutions along with Wire EDM, Waterjet machining, and inertia welding capabilities for sub-size specimens.

Once machined, test specimens are loaded into a Universal Testing Machine and proper alignment is verified. Depending upon specific requirements, strain gauges or extensometers are used to measure the strain rate during testing.

Element’s scientists have the knowledge and equipment necessary to handle high volume, ongoing production needs as well as one-off custom projects. Utilizing state-of-the-art, digital instrumentation, our tensile testing reports can include ultimate tensile strength, maximum elongation, and reduction of area. From these measurements, the following properties can also be determined: Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, yield strength, and strain-hardening characteristics.

Additional tensile testing capabilities Include:

• Castings/Weld Coupon Tensile Testing
• Elevated and Reduced Temperature Tensile Testing (from -320F to 2,700F)
• Fastener Tensile Testing, Axial and Wedge (up to 2” diameter fasteners)
• Full- and sub-size Tensile Test Specimens
• Heat Treatment for Tensile Coupons, Ambient Air or Argon Gas (up to 2,200F)
• High Force Tensile Testing (up to 400,000 lbf)
• O-Ring Tensile Testing
• Rebar and Tubular Product Tensile Testing
• Tensile testing at room temperature, low temperature (ASTM E8), and elevated temperature (ASTM E21)
• Shear
• Temperature and humidity
• Combined tension and compression
• Through thickness
• True strain
• Notched tensile
• r (ASTM E646) values
• n (ASTM E517) values

Elevated temperature tensile testing

In addition to our standard services, we also offer elevated temperature tensile testing, a method used to determine the physical properties of materials when tested at levels above room temperature. These properties include:

• Ultimate tensile strength (breaking strength)
• Yield strength (bending strength)
• Elongation
• Reduction of area

Nearly all products, except fasteners, are machined prior to undergoing the elevated temperature testing procedure.