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Tensile Testing Of Metallic Materials

Abstract:

Tensile testing of metallic materials is specified according to European EN 10002

standard. In this article the terms, definitions and designation for tensile test made at
ambient temperature is described. The test involves straining a test piece in tension,
generally to fracture, for the purpose of determining mechanical properties.
Tensile testing of metallic materials is specified according to European EN 10002 standard. This
standards consists of five parts:

EN 10002-1 - Method of testing at ambient temperature

EN 10002-2 - Verification of the force measuring system of the tensile testing machine

EN 10002-3- Calibration of force proving instruments used for the verification of uniaxial testing
machines

EN 10002-4 - Verification of extensometers used in uniaxial testing

EN 10002-5 - Method of testing at elevated temperatures

In this article the terms, definitions and designation for tensile test made at ambient temperature
is described. The test involves straining a test piece in tension, generally to fracture, for the
purpose of determining mechanical properties.

Terms and definitions

For the purpose of this European Standard, the following terms and definitions apply:

gauge length (L) - length of the cylindrical or prismatic portion of the test piece on which elongation is
measured. In particular, a distinction is made between:

original gauge length (Lo) - gauge length before application of force

final gauge length (Lu) - gauge length after rupture of the test piece

parallel length (Lc) - parallel portion of the reduced section of the test piece

elongation - increase in the original gauge length (Lo) at any moment during the test

percentage elongation - elongation expressed as a percentage of the original gauge length (Lo)

percentage permanent elongation - increase in the original gauge length of a test piece after removal
of a specified stress, expressed as a percentage of the original gauge length (Lo)

percentage elongation after fracture (A) - permanent elongation of the gauge length after fracture
(Lu - Lo), expressed as a percentage of the original gauge length (Lo). In the case of proportional test pieces,
where original gauge length is other than 5.65So, the symbol A should be supplemented by an index indicating
the coefficient of proportionality used (A11,3 for Lo=11.3 So) or by an index indicating the original gauge length (A80
mm

for Lo=80 mm)

percentage elongation at maximum force - increase in the gauge length of the test piece at maximum

force, expressed as a percentage of the original gauge length (Lo)

extensometer gauge length (Le) - length of the parallel portion of the test piece used for the
measurement of extension by means of an extensometer

extension - increase in the extensometer gauge length (Le) at a given moment of the test
percentage permanent extension - increase in the extensometer gauge length, after removal from the
test piece of a specified stress, expressed as a percentage of the extensometer gauge length (Le)

percentage yield point extension (Ae) - in discontinuous yielding materials, the extension between the
start of yielding and the start of uniform work hardening

percentage reduction of area (Z) - maximum change in cross-sectional area which has occurred
during the test (So - Su) expressed as a percentage of the original cross-sectional area (So)

maximum force (Fm) - the greatest force which the test piece withstands during the test once the yield
point has been passed. For materials, without yield point, it is the maximum value during the test

stress - force at any moment during the test divided by the original cross-sectional area (So) of the test
piece

tensile strength (Rm) - stress corresponding to the maximum force (Fm)

yield strength - when the metallic material exhibits a yield phenomenon, stress corresponding to the
point reached during the test at which plastic deformation occurs without any increase in the force. A distinction is
made between:
upper yield strength (ReH) - value of stress at the moment when the first decrease in force is

o
observed

lower yield strength (ReL) - lowest value of stress during plastic yielding, ignoring any initial

o
transient effects

proof strength, non-proportional extension (Rp) - stress at which a non-proportional extension is

equal to a specified percentage of the extensometer gauge length (Le). The symbol used is followed by the suffix
giving the prescribed percentage, such as Rp0,2

proof strength, total extension (Rt) - stress at which total extension (elastic extension plus plastic
extension) is equal to a specified percentage of the extensometer gauge length (Le). The symbol used is followed
by the suffix giving the prescribed percentage, such as Rt0,5

permanent set strength (Rr) - stress at which, after removal of force, a specified permanent elongation
or extension expressed respectively as a percentage of the original gauge length (Lo) or extensometer gauge
length (Le) has not been exceeded

fracture - phenomena which is deemed to occur when total separation of the test piece occurs or force
decreases to become nominally zero

Symbols and designations

Symbols and corresponding designations of the test piece are given in table 1.
The shape and dimensions of the test pieces depend on the shape and dimensions of the
metallic product from which the test pieces are taken (Figure1). Their cross-section may be
circular, square, rectangular, annular or, in special cases, of some other shape. The test piece is
usually obtained by machining a sample from the product or a pressed blank or casting.
However, products of constant cross-section and as cast test pieces may be tested without being
machined.
Table 1. Symbols and designations of the test piece.

Referenc
Symbo
e
Unit
l
(Figure1)
1.

2.

Designation

Thickness of a flat test piece or wall thickness of a

tube
mm Width of the parallel length of a flat test piece or
average width of the longitudinal strip taken from a
mm

3.

mm

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

D
L
L`
L
L
L
L

mm
mm
mm
mm
mm
mm
mm

L`

mm

tube or width of flat wire

Diameter of the parallel length of a circular test
piece, or diameter of round wire or internal diameter
of a tube
External diameter of a tube
Original gauge length
Initial gauge length for determination of A
Parallel length
Extensometer gauge length
Total length of test piece
Final gauge length after fracture
Final gauge length after fracture for determination
of A
Original cross-sectional area of the parallel length
Minimum cross-sectional area after fracture
Coefficient of proportionality
Percentage reduction of area: (S - S ) / S x 100
Gripped ends
g

9.
10.
11.
12.

S
S
k
Z
-

mm
mm
%
-

Figure 1. Typical standard test piece

The test piece shall be held by suitable means such as wedges, screwed grips, parallel jaw
faces, shouldered holders, etc. Every endeavour should be made to ensure that pieces are held
in such a way that the tension is applied as axially as possible in order to minimize bending. This
is very important for testing brittle materials or when determining proof or yield strength.
For determination of percentage elongation, the two broken test pieces are carefully fitted back
together so that their axis lie in a straight line. Elongation after fracture shall be determined to the
nearest 0.25 mm with a measuring device with a sufficient resolution and the value of percentage
elongation after fracture shall be rounded to the nearest 0.5% (Table 2). On the Figure 2
schematic definitions of elongation are given.
Table 2. Different types of elongation

Referenc
Symbo
e (Figure
Unit
Elongation
l
2)
13.
mm Elongation after fracture: L - L
Percentage elongation after fracture: (L - L ) / L x
14.
A
%
100
15.
A
% Percentage yield point extension
L
mm Extension at maximum force
Percentage non-proportional elongation at
16.
A
%
maximum force (F )
17.
A
% Percentage total elongation at maximum force (F )
18.
A
% Percentage total elongation at fracture
19.
% Specified percentage non-proportional extension
20.
% Percentage total extension
Specified percentage permanent set extension or
21.
%
elongation
u

gt

Figure 2. Definitions of elongation

The designations and related curves for yield, proof and tensile strength are given in the Table 3
and on the Figure 3.
Table 3. Symbols and designations for different types of strength

Referenc Symbo Unit

e (Figure
l

Force and strength

3)
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
-

F
R
R
R
R
R
R
E

eH

eL

N
MPa
MPa
MPa
MPa
MPa
MPa
MPa

Maximum force
Yield strength -Proof strength -Tensile strength
Upper yield strength
Lower yield strength
Tensile strength
Proof strength, non-proportional extension
Permanent set strength
Proof strength, total extension
Modulus of elasticity

Figure 3. Definitions of upper and lower yield strengths for different types of curves
The test report shall contain reference to the standard, identification of the test piece, specified
material, type of the test piece, location and direction of sampling test pieces and test results. In
the absence of sufficient data on all types of metallic materials it is not possible, at present, to fix
values of uncertainty for the different properties measured by tensile test.
Date Published: Jan-2003

Additional figure: