The tensile test is a key method for determining the mechanical properties of steel and other materials. A standardized specimen is tested under increasing tensile load until it breaks.

The tensile test according to ASTM A370 determines the following material properties in particular:

Elasticity module E: Degree of resistance of a material to elastic deformation

Yield point Re and Rp0.2: Permanent deformation of the material or plasticization.

Tensile strength Rm: Maximum mechanical tensile stress that can be applied with which the material can be loaded. In addition, point of maximum force.

The most important characteristic values that are determined are the yield point, tensile strength und strain at break. These values provide information about the behavior of the material under load and are decisive for the selection of materials for a wide range of applications, such as in the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, or aerospace.

The tensile test at ambient temperature is performed in accordance with internationally standardized standards such as ASTM E8 or ISO 6892-1. The specimen is subjected to quasi-static tensile stress while force and strain are measured continuously. The yield point indicates the point at which the material begins to deform plastically, the tensile strength the maximum load that the material can withstand. Strain at break describes the ability of the material to deform plastically before breaking.

In addition to these characteristic values at room temperature, the tensile test can also be carried out in other variants, such as at elevated temperatures as in ASTM E21 or ISO 6892-2 to test the behavior of materials in specific areas of application. These tests are crucial for the quality assurance of steel products and help to ensure the suitability of materials for various industrial applications.