Test standards Alpine supports: ASTM D412, ASTM D638, ASTM D828, ASTM D882, ASTM D1708, ISO 37, ISO 527
Tensile testing is one of the most fundamental and widely used mechanical tests for characterizing material performance. This test involves pulling a specimen at a controlled rate until it breaks, while precisely measuring the force and deformation throughout the process. From this, key properties such as tensile strength, modulus, elongation at yield, and elongation at break can be determined. Tension is a very common type of load on an elastomer in real-world applications, so it is important to test and understand the effect tension has on your materials.
These measurements are critical for understanding how a material behaves under tension, including how much it can stretch, how strong it is, and how rigid or ductile it may be. Tensile properties often appear on specification sheets and are essential for predicting how materials will respond in the field during processes like extrusion, or under load in service conditions. Because of its consistency, simplicity, and relevance, it’s one of the most reliable destructive tests available. Composite tensile testing is also available at Alpine Polytech, expanding the relevance of this method for more applications. An example of a tensile test on our equipment is shown below.
Often before a tensile test is conducted, the sample is aged in fluid or gas. These aging procedures simulate the chemical elements that materials will be exposed to in their service condition and allow an early understanding of how these materials will react to their environments over time. Alpine also offers In-Situ Testing, our patent pending technology that allows for tensile testing while samples are immersed in aging environments. Alpine is the only lab in the industry that offers this service.
Whether you’re qualifying new elastomers, plastics, or composite materials, Alpine provides precise tensile testing according to internationally recognized standards as well as bespoke methods customized by our clients. Our results help clients assess mechanical integrity across a wide range of service conditions.
Alpine Expanded Capabilities
Test conditions we support:
- In-Situ Testing options available
- Testing across several geometries with custom specimen preparation
- Instron capabilities up to 135,000 lbs., providing capability for metals and composites
- Stress relaxation, creep, and cyclic pressure loading
- Aging in acids, bases, brines, hydrocarbons, and extreme pressure
- Cryogenic to 400°C aging capabilities
- Several Instron machines to increase workflow efficiency and cost effectiveness
- Instron temperatures from cryogenic to 300°C on the machine
Alpine offers tensile testing across a range of geometries with custom specimen preparation, supporting projects from development to qualification. We utilize Instron machines capable of up to 135,000 lbs. of force, allowing testing of metals and composites. Testing can be performed at temperatures from cryogenic to 300°C directly on the machine, with additional aging capabilities from cryogenic up to 400°C in acids, bases, brines, hydrocarbons, and under extreme pressures to simulate service environments. Stress relaxation, creep, and cyclic pressure loading can be integrated with tensile programs as needed. In-situ tensile testing options are also available, allowing properties to be measured while samples remain under exposure conditions, providing more representative data for material evaluation.
Testing Details
Before the test, dumbbell-shaped dies of predetermined size are cut from the testing material, which may come from molded slabs, extruded sheets, or extracted from cross-sections of seals. Prior to testing, properties such as thickness, hardness, and specific gravity are measured and recorded. Specimens may also be aged in specific fluids or environments to simulate service conditions. Each specimen is placed in an Instron testing machine and pulled at a constant rate until failure, recording force and elongation throughout. Data generated includes tensile strength, modulus, elongation at yield, and elongation at break. Testing is typically based on ASTM D638 for plastics, ASTM D1708 for microtensile plastics, ASTM D882 for thin films, ASTM D828 for paper, ASTM D412 for elastomers, ISO 527 for plastics, and ISO 37 for rubbers. Each of these standards specifies specimen geometries, strain rates, and conditioning requirements suited to different material forms and thicknesses.