... It is also known as tension test. It is probably the most fundamental type of mechanical test that can be performed on material. Tensile tests are simple, relatively inexpensive, and fully standardized. By pulling on something, it is possible to determine (very quickly) how the material will react to forces being applied in tension. As the material is being pulled, it is easy to find out its strength along with how much it elongates. A lot can be learnt about a substance from tensile testing. As continuing to pull on the material until it breaks, a good and complete tensile profile can be obtained. A curve will result showing how it reacted to the forces being applied. The point of failure is of much interest and is typically called its 'ultimate strength'. Theory In a tensile test, a sample is extended at constant rate, and the load needed to maintain this is ...

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