Tensile Testing

Unlock critical material insights with our comprehensive testing capabilities designed to reveal how your materials will perform in real-world applications. We measure ultimate tensile strength (UTS), maximum elongation, reduction of area, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, yield strength, and strain-hardening properties across diverse material types. For composites, we determine tensile chord modulus of elasticity according to standards like ASTM D3039, revealing directional properties crucial for performance prediction. Our specialized open hole testing for composites simulates fastener holes and material flaws, providing data essential for joint design and damage tolerance assessment. 

• Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) determination 

• Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio measurement 

• Yield strength and yield point elongation evaluation 

• Elongation, ductility, and strain-hardening properties 

• Environmental exposure testing (temperature, humidity) 

• High-temperature and cryogenic testing 

• Open hole tensile testing (ASTM D5766) for composite materials 

• Filled hole tensile testing (ASTM D6742) for fastener applications 

• Axial tensile testing and flexural tensile testing 

• Digital image correlation and true stress/strain measurements 

From metals to advanced composites, we test a comprehensive range of materials across multiple industries. Our services evaluate metals, alloys, composites, polymers, rubbers, elastomers, welds, and specialized materials like medical devices. Whether you need standard metal testing or specialized evaluation of complex materials like polymer matrix composites (PMCs) with directional properties, our experts deliver reliable data that helps you make informed design decisions and meet industry-specific requirements. We test materials after exposure to environmental conditions like temperature and humidity, providing insights into how they'll perform in real-world applications. 

• Metals and metallic alloys (structural steel, reinforcement bar, pipes) 

• Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs) and fiber-reinforced materials 

• Polymers and plastics (including PEEK and thermoplastics) 

• Rubber and elastomers (to ASTM D412, ISO 37 standards) 

• Medical devices (leads, sutures requiring specialized fixtures) 

• Weldments (per ASME, AWS, and DNV standards) 

• Adhesives and coatings 

• Textiles and fabrics 

Our testing methods apply static or slowly applied forces to determine ultimate tensile strength and comprehensive material properties. For composite materials, we test to ASTM D3039, measuring directional properties crucial for understanding performance. We offer open hole and notched testing to help you understand how small inclusions or damages affect strength properties, providing essential data for modeling bolted or riveted composite joints. Our approach includes specialized methods for difficult-to-test materials, developing custom fixtures to obtain meaningful data. For weld tensile testing, we determine resilience and resistance, ensuring your welds meet the highest standards. 

• Static force application with precision measurement 

• Environmental conditioning before testing (temperature, humidity) 

• Directional property measurement for composite materials 

• Open hole testing to simulate flaws and fastener holes (ASTM D5766) 

• Filled hole testing to evaluate fastener effects (ASTM D6742) 

• Digital image correlation for advanced strain analysis 

• True stress and strain measurements for accurate modeling 

• Bearing, filled hole tension, and notched testing 

• Slow strain rate and high strain rate tensile testing 

• Cryogenic testing for low-temperature applications 

• Custom fixture development for specialized materials 

Open Hole Tensile Test – ASTM D5766 
ASTM D5766 outlines the standard method for measuring the open hole tensile strength of polymer matrix composite (PMC) laminates. This test evaluates the force needed to break a composite specimen that has a centrally located hole. It's especially useful for simulating flaws in composite components and for generating data when the material’s end use involves fastener holes. 

The filled hole tensile test methods follow the ASTM D6742 specification. This method is similar to open hole testing, with the key difference being that a fastener is inserted into the hole during testing. When tested this way, the material generally withstands higher forces. The clearance of the hole, fastener type, material hardness, and torque may affect the material’s strength properties. 

Specialized composite and polymer expertise 
Benefit from our dedicated experts who understand the unique challenges of testing directional materials like composites and polymers when traditional metal testing approaches don't apply. As active members of numerous composite committees including ASTM D30, CMH-17, Nadcap, and the Committee on Composite Materials, our specialists bring unparalleled knowledge to your testing program. We understand that composites require specialized protocols, offering testing according to standards like ASTM D3039 for basic tensile properties and ASTM D5766/D6484 for open hole testing. For composite fiber overwrap applications, we provide quality control testing that validates reinforcement for concrete columns in earthquake zones. 

• Polymer Matrix Composite (PMC) testing for aerospace applications 

• Composite fiber overwrap quality control testing 

• Environmental exposure testing for composites 

• Open hole testing for simulating flaws and fastener holes 

• Filled hole testing to evaluate fastener interactions 

• Notched compression testing for joint modeling 

• Mechanical property determination for lightweight durable materials 

• Custom test development for innovative composite materials 

• Tabbing and preparation of composite test specimens 

• Support for research and development of new composite applications 

Our advanced instrumentation delivers unmatched insights into complex material properties that help you make better design decisions. Our laboratories feature state-of-the-art testing equipment capable of measuring ultimate tensile strength, maximum elongation, reduction of area, and sophisticated characteristics like Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and strain-hardening with exceptional precision.  

• Precision force and extension measurement systems 

• Environmental chambers for temperature and humidity control 

• Digital image correlation systems for strain mapping 

• Specialized gripping equipment for diverse material types 

• Side support fixtures for open hole compression testing 

• Custom fixtures for medical devices and complex geometries 

• High-force testing equipment for structural materials 

• Cryogenic testing capabilities for low-temperature applications 

Whether you're in aerospace, medical devices, construction, or manufacturing, our laboratories are dedicated to addressing your unique industry challenges with precision and expertise. Beyond standard tensile testing, our offerings encompass a variety of mechanical tests tailored to your specific materials and applications. For safety-critical components, we provide comprehensive risk mitigation through valuable data that assesses structural performance under stressful conditions. This helps you identify and address potential material failures before they become product failures, accidents, or financial losses in the field, giving you confidence in your material selections and designs.