NDT & Corrosion Control Services Standard Operating Procedure

Document # SOP 091-12 Page 1 / 2

Approved By: Issue: 1/1 Date: 20 / 4 / 2000
Title: Tensile Testing of Steel Specimens.

1.0 SCOPE
This procedure specifies the general requirements of tensile testing of metallic
materials at room temperature using Universal Testing Machine.

2.0 REFERENCES
1. ASTM E8M Standard test method for tension testing of metallic materials.
2. ASME SEC IX Welding and brazing qualifications.
3. ASTM E6 Standard Terminology relating to methods of mechanical testing.

3.0 EQUIPMENT
Universal testing machine (Type UTE-60) comprises of loading unit, hydraulic
system and electronic control unit shall be used for conducting tension test.
The loading unit consists of two cross heads and lower table. Center cross head is
adjustable by means of gear motor and the test is carried-out between the center and
upper cross heads. Sensing of load is by means of a precession pressure transducer of
strain gauge type. Gripping devices (jaws) inserted for tensile test specimen along
with the rack jaws slide in the lower and upper cross heads. This sliding motion of
the rack jaw is achieved by rotating the helical toothed penion, by operating the hand
wheel.

A positive displacement type piston pump is used to produce continuous, non-

pulsating, high-pressure oil current for smooth application of the load on the
specimen. A pressure compensated flow control valve with integral safety relief
valve (on left side) and a return valve (on right side) is provided on the control panel.
An Electrical panel with push buttons for the motors with overload protection and
limit switch interlock for safe operation is provided.

4.0 TESTING PERSONNEL

Qualified personnel with sufficient working experience shall conduct the test and
record the results as per the requirements.

5.0 TEST SPECIMEN

Test specimens shall be either substantially full size or machined as per the product
specification for the materials being tested. It is desirable to have the cross sectional
area of the specimen, smallest at the center of the reduced section to ensure fracture
within the gauge length. The shape of the ends of specimen shall be suitable to fit the
grips of the testing machine so that the force may be applied axially.
NDT & Corrosion Control Services Standard Operating Procedure
Document # SOP 091-12 Page 2 / 2
Approved By: Issue: 1/1 Date: 20 / 4 / 2000
Title: Tensile Testing of Steel Specimens.

For small tubular products, particularly sizes 25 mm and under in nominal outside
diameter and frequently for large sizes, except as limited by the testing equipment, it
is standard practice to use tension test specimens of full size tubular section (see
attachment # 01). The reduced section specimens for plates and large diameter pipes
also shown in the attachments #02 and #03.

6.0 CALIBRATION
Universal Testing machine shall be calibrated at time intervals not exceeding 12
months and spot checks shall be conducted on monthly basis to ensure that the
machine is operating within the calibration range.

7.0 METHOD OF TESTING

The measuring range shall be adjusted according to the capacity of the test piece.
Proper jaw inserts shall be selected for upper and lower chuck assemblies. Upper end
of the test piece shall be gripped using the operation handle for the upper cross head.
By keeping the left valve fully closed, open the right valve until the lower table is
slightly lifted and close it to adjust the load to zero by TARE push button.

By operating the lower grip operation handle, lift the lower cross head to grip the
lower part of the specimen. The jaws shall be locked in position by operating the
jaw-locking handle. Control valve shall be opened slowly to get the desired loading
rate. The locking handle shall be unclamped and go on increasing the load until the
test piece is broken.

8.0 DOCUMENTATION
Test information shall be reported with the details of material and sample
identification, specimen type, tensile strength and the method used for rounding of
test results (attachment F#01).