Tensile testing

Component tensile testing

There are literally millions of components used in assemblies and finished products that rely on their physical strength properties for their success.

If they are too weak they will quickly fail, rendering the finished product useless. If they are too strong they may not even function properly.

Each component has a vital part to play and is batch-tested for its tensile strength to make sure it meets strict quality specifications before it is assembled into the finished product.

Tensile testers are used for measuring the strength of components as diverse as welded electrical connectors, textile buttons and attachments, mechanical couplings, industrial fixings and fasteners... and that is only a tiny fraction of what is tested!

Product tensile testing

Having assembled all the component parts into the finished product it is important to know just how well they fit together and perform as a whole. The slightest poor fitting between assemblies can have a detrimental effect on the overall look and feel of a product aswell as its mechanical performance.

Take the humble bottle of wine as an example .. whether sealed with an aluminium screw-top or a traditional cork, it relies on the perfect fit of the stopper to the inside of the glass bottle to keep the contents fresh and ready to drink.

Testing the extraction force of a cork (or release torque of a screw-cap) at regular intervals during the bottle-filling process, helps guarantee the bottle will not leak or allow the wine to be tainted, whilst still allowing it to be easily opened by the consumer.

Tensile testing of finished products is a daily activity across almost every industry worldwide - in the R&D facility, in the QC lab and right at the point of manufacture in the factory.

Materials tensile testing

Materials tensile testing generally involves the measurement to destruction of a specimen material cut to a specific size and geometry. The objective is to gain a full and complete understanding of the material's tensile properties such as its yield strength, ductility and tensile strain.

This helps materials' specialists in developing lighter, strong and longer-lasting composite materials, whilst simultaneously ensuring that the materials used are suitable for the production processes involved.

Materials tensile testing is commonly the subject of international test standards or in-house corporate standards. They all require careful specimen preparation and the use of precision grips and fixtures to ensure consistency and repeatability of results.

Measurement of specimen elongation may also require dedicated equipment such as extensometers.

Compare our most popular tensile testers

OmniTest

Automated control

Yes - VectorPro MT

Data analysis

Advanced ¹
Basic ²

Common features

Environment

Quality Control
Research & Development
Production

2 Year Warranty

Data output

Pass/fail indicator

Data analysis

¹Software VectorPro MT

²Software VectorPro Lite

³Software Emperor

Features of tensile testing

Key features of tensile testing include accurate control of test speed, precise measurement of extension and force with the ability to hold at an extension and a load, plus the use of appropriate grips and fixtures.

Tensile tests need to be performed so that they are representative of the sample as it is used, especially if it is a component or product rather than a raw material being tested. The Mecmesin range of tensile testers are designed for bench-top use and include models with extended columns suitable for highly elastic tests.

Tensile test results typically provide a detailed profile of force, extension and time, including the clear identification of partial failure, slippage and break.

For materials testing, the data curve of stress vs strain is largely used to determine the elastic limit and ultimate tensile strength.

Related tensile testing methods

wire terminal strength (crimp) testing
peel and adhesion testing
tear strength and resistance testing
lap shear testing
pull-out testing
pull-off testing

MultiTest-dVMotorised tensile tester

POA

Tensile Tester

MultiTest-dV with AFG

The MultiTest-dV range integrates perfectly with our Advanced Force Gauge, making it a popular configuration for standalone applications that require the capture of a peak load value.

Expand its capabilities by connecting to VectorPro Lite software for presenting data graphically and performing calculations to see test results.

Materials Tester

MultiTest-dV with ELS

The MultiTest-dV range configured with an Enhanced Load Sensor, VectorPro MT software and an optional extensometer, transforms this motorised force tester into a basic materials tester.

This makes the MultiTest-dV the ideal choice for quality assurance checks in the QC lab and gives it the power necessary for more in-depth analysis of material properties in the R&D laboratory.

A flexible and easy to use stand-alone motorised tensile tester. Also configurable as a basic low-force materials tester.

Ideal for routine quality control in a production or laboratory environment.

Product testing
Basic materials testing
Production line quality control
Capacity: 0.5 kN, 1 kN, 2.5 kN

Example applications

Tensile test system, with MultiTest-dV, AFG and wedge grips

Tensile testing (materials) rubber dumbell using MultiTest-dV with and long-travel extensometer

Bespoke tensile testing fixture for EN 319 standard (particle and fibreboard tensile strength perpendicular to plane of the board)

Bespoke tensile testing fixture for tensile strength of dowel in particle board

MultiTest-iSingle-column tensile tester

POA

MultiTest-i 2.5 kN automated tensile testing system

PC-driven

MultiTest-i

The MultiTest-i is a versatile tensile and compression tester controlled by software running on a PC.

The single-column range fits neatly on your bench-top and is ideal for product testing applications according to your own test methods.

A wide range of tensile grips, bend jigs and compression fixtures make the single-column MultiTest-i easy to use for measuring tension and compression, from as little as 2 N right up to 5 kN.

Console-driven

MultiTest-xt

The MultiTest-xt is a versatile tensile and compression tester controlled by software running on a touchscreen console.

The single-column range fits neatly on your bench-top and is ideal for product testing applications according to your own test methods.

A wide range of tensile grips, bend jigs and compression fixtures make the single-column MultiTest-xt easy to use for measuring tension and compression from as little as 2 N right up to 5 kN.

Advanced software-controlled tensile and compression tester powered by our trusted testing software, Emperor Force.

Product and component testing
Quality control environments
Research and development labs
Capacity: 2 N to 5 kN

The single-column range is an ideal bench-top device for product testing applications according to your own test methods.

Example applications

Tensile strength material test, pneumatic jaws, with MultiTest 5-i force tester

Tensile strength testing syringe needle on MultiTest 2.5-i

90 degree peel testing table on MultiTest 2.5-i

Tensile strength testing plastic film/wrapping on MultiTest 5-i

MultiTest-iTwin-column tensile tester

POA

Product image of MultiTest 25-i high capacity twin-column software-controlled force testing system, shown with laptop

PC-driven

MultiTest-i

Measure tensile and compressive forces up to 50 kN.

Our MultiTest systems are easy to use bench-top tensile testers, and our Emperor Force testing software enables you to improve accuracy and reliability of your tensile testing.

It's ideal for quality control testing of components and products as well as for research and development.

MultiTest twin-column (high capacity 10-50 kN) tensile testing machine with touchscreen console

Console-driven

MultiTest-xt

Measure tensile and compressive forces from 2 N to 50 kN.

Our MultiTest-xt systems are easy to use standalone solutions featuring an integrated touchscreen console pre-installed with our Emperor Force software .

Customers and operators love the simple touchscreen interface for accurate and reliable tensile testing on the production line and in quality control areas.

Advanced software-controlled higher-capacity tensile and compression tester powered by our trusted testing software, Emperor Force.