 Tensile (ASTM D638, D412, D882)

 Shear (ASTM D732)….

 Compression (ASTM D695)…..

 Flex (ASTM D790)…..

 Tear (ASTM D1004)….

 Hardness (ASTM D2240)….

 Density (ASTM D792)…..

Tensile Strength Tester
Labthink tensile strength testers are designed for the determination of tensile strength, peel strength, tear resistance of films,
sheeting, aluminum foils, etc.

Auto tensile tester – can be used to measure physical

mechanical properties of plastic films, laminated materials,
adhesives, adhesive tapes, adhesive bandage (plaster), release
paper, protective films, leather, rubber and paper fiber, etc.

It can perform test items of tensile, peeling, deformation,

tearing, heat seal, adhesive, and open force, etc.

Capacity: 500 N (110 lbf) - XLW-Series / Horizontal Tensile

Testing Machine

i-Strentek 1510 Universal Testing Machine is professionally designed for

the determination of mechanical properties including tensile strength, peel
strength, tear strength, heat seal strength, adhesiveness and bending
performance of plastic films, composite films, flexible packaging materials,
adhesive tapes, rubber and paper, etc.

 Capacity: 10 kN (2,200 lbf) - i-Strentek 1510 Universal Testing Machine

MEGA 1500 Auto Tensile Tester is professionally designed for the

determination of tensile strength, peel strength, tear strength, heat
seal strength and adhesiveness of plastic films, composite films,
flexible packaging materials, adhesives, adhesive tapes, pressure
sensitive tapes, medical patches, protective films, release paper,
rubber and paper, etc.

 Capacity: 1 kN (220 lbf) - MEGA 1500 Tensile Testing Machine

Micro Tensile Strength Test of Plastic per ASTM D638

This test measures the tensile strength, ultimate elongation, yield point, modulus of elasticity of a plastic using a micro dogbone
specimen per test method ASTM D638.

Testing the Tensile Properties of Plastics and Elastomers

Summary of Test

ASTM D638 is one of the most common plastic strength specifications and covers the tensile properties of unreinforced and
reinforced plastics. This test method uses standard “dogbone” shaped specimens under 14mm of thickness. A universal testing
machine (tensile testing machine) is needed to perform this test. If you are going to perform this test, you should read the entire
specification from ASTM.

To perform ASTM D638, begin by injection molding your material into a “dogbone” sample. Load the sample into a pair of tensile
grips and attach your extensometer (if you have one). The speed at which you separate your tensile grips depends on the shape of
the specimen and can range from 0.05-20 inches per minute. End the test at sample break (rupture).

Calculations:

Tensile Strength
Elongation at Yield
Elongation at Break
Nominal Strain at Break (Grip Separation)
Modulus of Elasticity
Secant Modulus
Poisson’s Ratio (Requires Transverse Extensometer)

Equipment Required for ASTM D638

A Universal Testing Machine with the following specifications:
Servo-control to ensure constant rate of speed during the test

Capacity needs to be enough for your materials. Depending on your material’s ultimate tensile strength, you may use a machine
with 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, or 10,000 lbf of capacity

ADMET Recommends: eXpert 2600 Dual Column Testing Machine, eXpert 7600 Single Column Testing Machine
An extensometer should be used especially when measuring modulus and yield
ADMET Recommends: Extensometers
Software or suitable electronics are required to operate the machine and to take the measurements
Basic systems will provide the raw data and stress-strain charts. Using these data, you can determine and calculate all of the
analyses listed above. Fully PC-based systems have the capability to calculate all of these automatically. ADMET offers both
ADMET Recommends: MTESTQuattro PC-based Controller
Tensile grips hold your specimen during the test as it is being pulled apart
Any grip with serrated faces is usually adequate for this test. You can use wedge, pneumatic, vise, or other self tightening grips
ADMET Recommends: Vise Tensile Grips, Wedge Grips, Pneumatic Grips

Tensile tests measure the force required to break a plastic sample specimen and the extent to which the specimen stretches or
elongates to that breaking point.
ASTM D638 is one of the most common plastic strength specifications and covers the tensile properties of unreinforced and
reinforced plastics. This test method uses standard "dumbell" or "dogbone" shaped specimens under 14mm of thickness. A
universal testing machine (tensile testing machine) is needed to perform this test. If you are going to perform this test, you should
read the entire specification from ASTM. This is a quick summary to decide if this test is right for you, and to point out what
equipment you need to perform the test.

First off, do not perform this test if you have films or elastomers. If you have film under 1mm in thickness use ASTM D882. If you
have an elastomer use ASTM D412.

Test Procedure:

1. Cut or injection mold your material into one of the five "dumbbell" shapes. The exact shape you use is dependent upon
your material's rigidity and thickness.
2. Load the specimen into tensile grips.
3. Attach the extensometer to the sample
4. Begin the test by separating the tensile grips at a constant rate of speed. Speed depends on specimen shape and can range
from 0.05 - 20 inches per minute. The target time from start of test to break should be from 30 seconds to 5 minutes.
5. End the test after sample break (rupture)

Analysis obtained:

1. Tensile Strength
2. Elongation at Yield
3. Elongation at Break
4. Nominal Strain at Break (Grip Separation)
5. Modulus of Elasticity
6. Secant Modulus
7. Poisson's Ratio (Requires Transverse Extensometer)

Equipment required:

1. Universal testing machine (tensile testing machine)

1. Needs to be servo controlled to keep a constant rate of speed.

2. Capacity needs to be enough for your materials. A 1,000 lbf single column system is usually sufficient for most non-
reinforced plastics. A 2,000 lbf dual column system is also very common. A high capacity 10,000 lbf model is sometimes
needed for larger samples and/or stronger materials such as reinforced plastics or composites.
2. Extensometer (an instrument for measuring the deformation of a material under stress)

1. Required when measuring modulus, yield, and modulus. Why? For two reasons: 1) The linear region of plastics is very small
and happens suddenly so grip separation is just not accurate enough. 2) Dumbbell specimens do not have uniform widths
so there will be errors when both the wide and narrow sections of the dumbbell shaped specimen elongate at different
rates.
3. Data Acquisition
1. Software or suitable electronics are required to operate the machine and to take the measurements. Basic systems will
provide the raw data, and stress-strain charts. Using these sources of data, you can determine and calculate all of the
 analysis listed above. However, fully PC based systems have the capability to calculate all of these automatically. For
example, our MTESTQuattro testing software has built in support for ASTM D638 and all of these calculations are provided
immediately after performing the test.
4. Tensile Grips
1. Any grip with serrated faces is usually adequate for this
test. You can use wedge, pneumatic, vise, or other self tightening grips such as eccentric roller or scissor grips.
Shear Strength Test by ASTM D732

Shear strength testing for plastics, by ASTM D-732.

Intertek provides shear strength testing using the ASTM D732 punch tool technique.
Shear strength by punch tool ASTM D-732 scope:
Shear strength testing is used to determine the load at which a plastic or film will yield when sheared between two metal edges.
Shear strength results are important to designers of film and sheet products that tend to be subjected to shear loads, or in
applications where applied crushing loads are a risk.

ASTM D-732 test procedure:

The test is performed by clamping a test sample attached to a 1-inch punch between two metal fixtures. A male punch is then forced
through the hole in the metal fixture causing shear along the edge of the hole. A universal testing machine is used to push the punch
until shearing of the specimen occurs.

Specimen size:
The specimens are usually 2 inich diameter discs or 2 inch squared plates and thickness ranging between 0.05 and 0.5 inch. A 7/16th
inch hole is drilled through the center of the specimen to mount it in the fixture.

Data:
The results are expressed as shear strength and are given in the units of MPa or psi. The shear strength is calculated by dividing the
force required to shear the specimen by the area of the sheared edge. The area of the sheared edge is equal to the circumference of
the punch multiplied by the thickness of the specimen.
Compression of Composites ASTM D3410

Compressive properties of polymer matrix composite materials, by shear loading ASTM D3410, provides material data including
compressive strength, strain, poisson's ratio and modulus.

Intertek provides Shear Loading testing of polymer composite materials by ASTM D3410.
Compressive Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials by Shear Loading ASTM D3410 Test Scope:
This method determines in-plane compressive properties by applying the compressive force into the specimen at wedge grip
interfaces. ASTM D3410 is most appropriate for composites materials reinforced by high-modulus fibers including tape and textile,
but other materials may be tested. The test fixture is designed to provide a compressive load to the unsupported center 12 to 25
mm (0.5 to 1 inch) gauge length of the specimen.
Alternatively perform ASTM D6641 modified using the Hydraulic Composites Test Fixture (HCCF) for improved reproducibility.

Test Procedure:
A fixture is used to align the specimen in the wedge grips and the grips are therefore tightened. The wedges are inserted into the
compression fixture, and if an extensometer is being used to measure strain, it is attached to the specimen. The specimen is
compressed to failure.

Specimen size:
Specimens should have a uniform rectangular cross section, 140 mm to155 mm (5.5 in to 6 in) long. The recommended width can be
12 mm (0.5 in) or 25 mm (1 in). A variety of thicknesses can be accommodated. Tabs can be bonded to the ends of the thin
specimens to ensure failure in the unsupported gauge length.

Compressive properties tested:

 Ultimate compressive strength

 Ultimate compressive strain
 Compressive chord modulus of elasticity
 Compressive Poisson’s Ratio
 Three-part failure identification codes
Flexural Properties Testing

Essential testing of flexural properties of Plastics and Polymers by using ASTM D790 and ISO 178 to ensure suitability under various
conditions

Our extensively-equipped laboratories provide standard flexural tests in order for insight into their properties and to ensure that
they are suitable for the intended application.
Flexural Properties Testing Scope
The flexural test measures the force required to bend a beam under three point loading conditions. The data is often used to select
materials for parts that will support loads without flexing. Flexural modulus is used as an indication of a material’s stiffness when
flexed. Since the physical properties of many materials (especially thermoplastics) can vary depending on ambient temperature, it is
sometimes appropriate to test materials at temperatures that simulate the intended end use environment.

Flexural Test Procedure

Most commonly the specimen lies on a support span and the load is applied to the center by the loading nose producing three point
bending at a specified rate. The parameters for this test are the support span, the speed of the loading, and the maximum deflection
for the test. These parameters are based on the test specimen thickness and are defined differently by ASTM and ISO. For ASTM
D790, the test is stopped when the specimen reaches 5% deflection or the specimen breaks before 5%. For ISO 178, the test is
stopped when the specimen breaks. If the specimen does not break, the test is continued as far a possible and the stress at 3.5%
(conventional deflection) is reported.

Elevated or Reduced Temperature Test Procedure

A thermal chamber is installed on the universal test machine. The chamber is designed to allow the test mounts from the base and
crosshead of the universal tester to pass through the top and bottom of the chamber. Standard test fixtures are installed inside the
chamber, and testing is conducted inside the controlled thermal environment, the same as it would be at ambient temperature. The
chamber has internal electric heaters for elevated temperatures, using external carbon dioxide gas as a coolant for reduced
temperatures.

Specimen size
A variety of specimen shapes can be used for this test, but the most commonly used specimen size for ASTM is 3.2mm x 12.7mm x
125mm (0.125" x 0.5" x 5.0") and for ISO is 10mm x 4mm x 80mm.

Data
Flexural stress at yield, flexural strain at yield, flexural stress at break, flexural strain at break, flexural stress at 3.5% (ISO) or 5.0%
(ASTM) deflection, flexural modulus. Stress/Strain curves and raw data can be provided.

*ASTM and ISO specify somewhat different parameters for this test.
**Please note that this test description is intentionally generic in nature and aimed at providing a descriptive summary to enhance
test understanding. Standards can be obtained from appropriate standards authorities.
Compression Properties ASTM D695, ISO 604

Understand compression strength and modulus of plastics materials used in various engineering applications using ASTM D695.

Scope:
Compressive properties describe the behavior of a material when it is subjected to a compressive load. Loading is at a relatively low
and uniform rate. Compressive strength and modulus are two common values generated by the test.

Test Procedure:
The specimen is placed between compressive plates parallel to the surface. The specimen is then compressed at a uniform rate. The
maximum load is recorded along with stress-strain data. An extensometer attached to the front of the fixture is used to determine
modulus.

Specimen size:
Specimens can either be blocks or cylinders. For ASTM, the typical blocks are 12.7 x 12.7 x 25.4mm (½ by ½ by 1 in). and the cylinders
are 12.7mm (½ in) in diameter and 25.4mm (1 in) long. For ISO, the preferred specimens
are 50 x 10 x 4mm for modulus and 10 x 10 x 4mm for strength.

Data:
Compressive strength and modulus are two useful calculations.

Compressive strength =
maximum compressive load
minimum cross-sectional area

Compressive modulus =
change in stress
change in strain
 TEAR (ASTM D1004)

ASTM D1004 gives a standard method for testing the tear resistance of flexible plastic films and sheeting at very low rates of
loading. It is not suitable for materials where brittle failure occurs or that elongate more than two hundred per cent during
testing.
TEST SUMMARY
This standard is designed to measure the force to initiate tearing in plastic films generally having a thickness less than 0.25 mm.
Specimens are cut to a closely defined shape, ideally using a die cutter. The specimen geometry has been chosen to produce a stress
concentration in a small area of the specimen. The cut specimens are put under tension in a test stand set at a constant rate of
movement while the resultant tensile force is recorded. The maximum force in newtons and amount of elongation in mm are
reported.
TEST PROCEDURE
Samples are pre-conditioned if necessary and cut to a closely defined shape. A tensile tester with a constant rate of separation of the
grips holding the specimen measures the maximum force and extension required to rupture the specimen.

Test Apparatus

 Die cutter
 Micrometer reading to 0.0025 mm
 Force testing stand
 Suitable range loadcell compatible with the force testing stand
Preparation
Where conditioning is required, test specimens are stored at 23 ± 2° C, 50 ± 5 % RH for 40 hours.
Method
1. If required, pre-condition the samples at 23 ± 2° C, 50 ± 5 % RH for 40 hours.
2. At least five samples are required. They may be cut perpendicular to the machine direction, or transvers to the machine
direction of the sample material.
3. Specimens are cut, ideally using a die cutter, which is kept in good condition to ensure the cut specimens do not deviate by more
than 0.5 % from the dimensions specified.
4. The thickness of the specimen is accurately measured in several points in the notched area and an average value calculated.
5. Specimens are clamped between the fixed (usually lower) grip, and the moving (usually upper) grip of the force testing stand.
6. The test stand is set in motion at a fixed crosshead speed of 51 mm/min.
7. After complete rupture of the specimen the maximum tensile load is measured, together with the maximum extension.
8. Calculate the mean maximum load and extension for all valid specimens tested in each principle direction of orientation.
Report
The test report shall contain:
 All the information necessary for the complete identification of the sample
 The average thickness of each specimen, and the average thickness of all test specimens
 The average value of tear resistance calculated in newtons, and the maximum extension in mm, plus standard deviations of these
averaged values.

http://www.mecmesin.com/astm-d-1004-graves-tear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR0ovE2kjq8
Shore Hardness ASTM D2240

Durometer Hardness Shore Hardness ASTM D2240

Scope:
Durometer Hardness is used to determine the relative hardness of soft materials, usually plastic or rubber. The test measures the
penetration of a specified indentor into the material under specified conditions of force and time. The hardness value is often used
to identify or specify a particular hardness of elastomers or as a quality control measure on lots of material.

Test Procedure:
The specimen is first placed on a hard flat surface. The indentor for the instrument is then pressed into the specimen making sure
that it is parallel to the surface. The hardness is read within one second (or as specified by the customer) of firm contact with the
specimen.

Specimen size:
The test specimens are generally 6.4mm (¼ in) thick. It is possible to pile several specimens to achieve the 6.4mm thickness, but one
specimen is preferred.

Data:
The hardness numbers are derived from a scale. Shore A and Shore D hardness scales are common, with the A scale being used for
softer and the D scale being used for harder materials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSnsGiVPmPQ
 g

Density and Specific Gravity ASTM D792, ISO 1183

Density and Specific Gravity ASTM D792, ISO 1183

Scope:
Density is the mass per unit volume of a material. Specific gravity is a measure of the ratio of mass of a given volume of material at
23°C to the same volume of deionized water. Specific gravity and density are especially relevant because plastic is sold on a cost per
pound basis and a lower density or specific gravity means more material per pound or varied part weight.

Test Procedure:
There are two basic test procedures- Method A and Method B. The more common being Method A, can be used with sheet, rod,
tube and molded articles. For Method A, the specimen is weighed in air then weighed when immersed in distilled water at 23°C
using a sinker and wire to hold the specimen completely submerged as required. Density and Specific Gravity are calculated.

Specimen size:
Any convenient size.

Data:
Specific gravity = a/[(a + w)-b]
a = mass of specimen in air.
b = mass of specimen and sinker (if used) in water.
W = mass of totally immersed sinker if used and partially immersed wire.

Density, kg/m3 = (specific gravity) x (997.6)

http://www.intertek.com/polymers/testlopedia/density-and-specific-gravity-astm-d792/