Plastic Tensile Testing

Applied Technical Services’ state-of-the-art metallurgy lab conducts plastic tensile testing, material identification, litigation support, and other metallurgical services. We employ lab professionals with decades of combined experience in mechanical and metallurgical industries.

What is Plastic Tensile Testing, and Why is it Important?

Plastic tensile tests measure a plastic’s ability to stretch before breaking and the load required to break the plastic. Tensile tests allow manufacturers to evaluate the quality and safety of materials. The benefits and advantages of tensile testing include:

Plastics are popular materials amongst manufacturers, so plastics must perform as intended in various applications. Tensile tests allow manufacturers to make informed decisions on the ideal uses of plastic materials, ensuring that the materials can withstand the physical demands of the applications.

ASTM D638

ASTM D638 is the American Society for Testing Materials’ standard specification for the tensile testing of reinforced and nonreinforced plastics. The test calculates the following mechanical properties.

Tensile Strength

Tensile strength is the amount of stress a material can endure before stretching or breaking. A material’s tensile strength heavily affects its potential applications. For example, manufacturers will avoid using brittle materials for structural applications because the materials lack the necessary properties. The following factors affect tensile strength.

Tensile Modulus

Tensile modulus measures a plastic’s stiffness and predicts how the material will deform under significant loads. A material’s tensile modulus is affected by multiple factors, including:

Tensile Strain

A tensile strain occurs when tensile stress causes deformation or elongation in a material. Tensile strain represents a ratio comparing an object’s extended length to its original length.

Elongation and Percent Elongation at Yield

Elongation at yield represents the ratio between the initial length of a specimen and its increased length after stretching or deformation.

Elongation and Percent Elongation at Break

Elongation at break represents the amount of deformation and stretching a material can endure before breaking. Materials with a higher elongation at break presentation are more ductile and thus more likely to deform without breaking.

The Applications of Plastic Tensile Testing

Multiple industries use tensile testing to evaluate the quality of plastic materials, including:

Applied Technical Services' Plastic Metallurgy Lab

Applied Technical Services provides quality engineering consulting, inspection, and testing services. Founded in 1967, our ever-growing list of clients spans dozens of industries worldwide. We are an ISO 9001 certified management system that prioritizes customer service, continuous growth, and professionalism. We employ professionals of diverse backgrounds and disciplines and offer free quotes for our competitively priced services. Call +1 (888) 287-5227 and ask about our plastic tensile testing services today!

Request Form

"*" indicates required fields

Name*

First*

Last*

Company

Phone Number

Email*

How did you find us?

What keyword did you search?

Where is your company located?

United States

International

City

State*

State / Province / Region*

Hidden

Country

Country*

Request — test method, type of material, etc.*

If character limit proves too restrictive, please save your request as a document and attach it below

Will you need expedited services?

Yes

Please specify desired completion time*

Attach any additional files you feel may help

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 5 MB.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.