Tensile tests

The tensile test is a destructive mechanical test that subjects a material specimen to an increasing uniaxial tensile force until it breaks. Used to determine the material’s mechanical properties (strength, elasticity, ductility), the test produces a stress-strain diagram that is fundamental to engineering design and quality control.

Key aspects:

Procedure:
A specimen, often shaped like a “dog bone,” is stretched by a universal testing machine until it breaks.
Measured data:
The machine records the applied force (\(F\)) and the elongation of the material, plotting the stress–strain curve.
Main parameters:
Yield strength (\(R_{e}\)): The stress at which plastic (permanent) deformation begins.
Tensile strength (\(R_{m}\)): The maximum stress the material can withstand before breaking.
Elongation at break (\(A\%\)): A measure of the material’s ductility.
Standards:
ISO 6892-1 (metals), ASTM E8/E8M, and ISO 527-1 (plastics) standardize the test specimens and procedure.

This test is essential for metallic and polymeric materials, allowing for an assessment of their suitability for the intended use. Tensile tests are essential in nearly all manufacturing and engineering sectors, including automotive (structural components), aerospace (lightweight materials), construction (steel, concrete), medical (prosthetics, sutures), and energy. They verify strength, yield strength, and elasticity, ensuring quality and safety.

PROJECTS:

X-2002-1000 – Biaxial Testing Machine
X-2002-1000 Biaxial Testing Machine for Dynamic Testing of Railway Sleepers, subjected to tensile loading along the horizontal axis and simultaneous three- or four-point bending along the vertical axis. Load Frame Closed-loop load frame consisting of a fabricated steel structure comprising a lower working platform, four vertical reinforcing structures and an upper crosshead on which the vertical actuator is mounted. Frame dimensions: 3,600 × 6,100 × 4,350 h mm
- Maximum static force: 1,200 kN at 210 bar
- Maximum dynamic force: 1,000 kN at 210 bar
- Vertical force: 500 kN
- Horizontal actuator stroke: 250 mm
- Maximum vertical specimen clearance: 800 mm
- Maximum horizontal specimen …
BX0316 – Biaxial Testing Machine
BX0316 Biaxial Testing Machine for Static Tensile and Dynamic Four-Point Bending Tests on Bonded Rail Joints
- Tensile testing with horizontal loads of up to 1,600 kN
- Bending testing with vertical loads of up to ±350 kN
- Standard horizontal actuator stroke: 200 mm
- Standard vertical actuator stroke: 100 mm
- Fatigue testing fixture with adjustable supports within predefined ranges
- Maximum rail length under test: 1,600 mm
Indoor Test Bench for Railway Vehicle Traction and Coupling
Indoor Test Bench for Railway Vehicle Traction and Coupling
Indoor testing bench for measuring traction and coupling forces between railway vehicles. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Maximum longitudinal tensile force: 1,150 kN
- Maximum longitudinal compression force: 1,150 kN
- Lateral force applicable to the frame: ±100 kN
- Moment applicable to the frame: ±500 kNm
Maximum-performance stroke:
- X = 500 mm
- Y = 900 mm
- θ = ±15°
Translation speed along the X-axis: 0.25 m/s Translation speed along the Y-axis: 0.60 m/s Rotation speed about the Z-axis: 10°/s
FPF1000 – X-MRG-1907/1000
FATIGUE TESTING MACHINE FOR RAILWAY SLEEPERS
Four-column load frame (6,100 × 3,800 × 3,800 h mm).
- Static capacity: ±1,000 kN (280 bar)
- Maximum static force: 1,200 kN
- Dynamic force: max. 750 kN, min. 10 kN
- Cylinder stroke: ±100 mm
- Maximum dynamic stroke: 7 mm on the specimen at 5 Hz
- Specimen working clearance: 6,000 × 2,600 × 1,000 h mm
FPF500 – SERVO-HYDRAULIC TESTING MACHINE
Four-column testing machine equipped with lateral column reinforcements, designed to withstand test loads up to 500 kN without significant deformation.
The base features a slotted test surface for securing testing fixtures and equipment.
- Support surface: 2,900 × 1,500 mm
- Hydraulic lifting of the upper crosshead
FPF25 – SERVO-HYDRAULIC TESTING MACHINE
Two-column testing machine equipped with a servo-hydraulic actuator mounted above the upper crosshead and a slotted support base.
The load cell can be mounted either on the actuator or on the lower crosshead.
Rail Fastening System Testing Machine
Testing system designed for the characterization of rail fastening systems.
The system is designed to perform the following tests:
- Determination of the longitudinal rail resistance, in accordance with UNI EN 13146-1
- Determination of the torsional resistance of the rail, in accordance with UNI EN 13146-2:2012
- Determination of the rail clamping force and uplift stiffness, in accordance with UNI EN 13146-7
- Determination of stiffness, in accordance with UNI EN 13146-9
- Determination of pull-out resistance, in accordance with UNI EN 13146-10:2017
LM10 – Linear Testing Machine
Two-column testing machine equipped with an electric actuator mounted on the upper crosshead and a slotted lower support base.
The load cell can be mounted either on the actuator or on the support base. The machine provides very high dynamic performance, with frequencies of up to 80 Hz.
TCR30 – Creep Testing Machine
Uniaxial mechanical testing machine for tensile, creep and stress relaxation testing of metallic materials.
The machine features a high-stiffness four-column frame with vibration-isolated supports and an actuator mounted on the lower crosshead for servo-controlled load application. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Tensile load capacity: up to 50 kN
- Heating furnace: maximum temperature approximately 1,200°C
Hydraulic Gripping System for Tensile Testing
Self-centering hydraulic wedge grips with a one-piece steel body, suitable for tensile and compression testing as well as load cycles around zero, with forces of up to 100 kN.
Supplied with:
- 2 pairs of wedges for flat specimens from 0 to 10 mm thick
- 2 pairs of wedges for cylindrical specimens from 10 to 25 mm in diameter
Mechanical Gripping System for Tensile Testing
Mechanical grips for flat and/or round specimens, operating on a screw-clamping principle.
The grips are manufactured from 39NiCrMo3 quenched and tempered steel with a blued surface treatment, making them suitable for fatigue testing with loads of up to 20 kN. The gripping surfaces feature a knurled clamping system. Maximum gripping width: 30 mm Supplied with:
- 2 pairs of knurled grip plates for flat specimens from 0 to 8 mm thick
- 2 pairs of knurled grip plates for round specimens from 6 to 12 mm in diameter
These grips are suitable for installation inside an environmental chamber and for tensile testing of …
SSR100 – Slow Strain Rate Testing Machine
Slow strain rate testing machine with a two-column floor-standing load frame and an electric actuator mounted on the lower base.
The load cell can be mounted either on the electric actuator or on the crosshead. Test speed range: 0.001 to 5 mm/min at 100 kN.
FPF 30 MN Testing Machine
Uniaxial load frame designed to withstand maximum loads of 30 MN in both compression and tension for testing structural components.
The frame is equipped with a fixed lower crosshead and a movable upper crosshead, allowing adjustment of the available test clearance. The upper crosshead is moved by four servo-hydraulic actuators rigidly connected to the two crossheads. These actuators also apply the test load to the specimen by controlling the displacement of the upper crosshead.
FPF 100 kN – RAILWAY PAD TESTING MACHINE
FPF 100 kN – Four-Column Uniaxial Testing Machine for Railway Pad Testing
- Static vertical load: ±100 kN
- Fatigue vertical load: ±75 kN
- Stroke: 100 mm
- Four-column load frame with slotted test table (2,800 × 1,000 × 700 mm) and hydraulically adjustable upper crosshead, locked in position by hydraulic clamping devices.
- The servo valve controlling the oil flow to the actuator is mounted directly on the actuator.
- The double-acting servo-hydraulic actuator is connected to the upper crosshead and fitted with a load cell on the piston rod, with a static capacity of ±100 kN and a dynamic capacity …
3 MN (300 ton) Testing Machine
Four-column high-stiffness load frame designed for compression testing.
The upper crosshead is moved by servo-hydraulic lifting cylinders and hydraulically locked to the columns. The base features T-slots for secure specimen clamping. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Clear working span: 5 m
- Maximum height: 7 m
- Maximum specimen height: 4.5 m
- Column spacing: 900 mm
- Base dimensions: 4 × 1 m
- Operating hydraulic pressure: 210–280 bar
- Maximum compression force: 3 MN
- Frame stiffness at 1.3 m above the base: 4.5 × 10⁹ N/m
30 MN FULL-SCALE TESTING MACHINE
This testing machine performs tensile, compression and bending tests on steel pipes for gas and oil pipelines.
The system is optimized for specimen positioning and securing, and can perform cyclic tests as well as tests on pressurized pipes. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Maximum compression force: 30 MN
- Maximum tensile force: 25 MN
- Maximum bending moment: 300 ton·m
- Maximum specimen diameter: 20" (508 mm)
- Maximum specimen length: 5,000 mm
- Overall dimensions: 16 × 6 m – height 2 m
- Maximum axial stroke: 500 mm
- Maximum bending angle: ±20°
LM10 – LOAD FRAME
LM10 – LOAD FRAME FOR TENSILE/COMPRESSION TESTING Two-column testing machine equipped with an electric actuator mounted on the upper crosshead and a slotted lower support base. The load cell can be mounted either on the actuator or on the support base. The machine consists of the following main components:
- Special compact two-column load frame designed to withstand a dynamic axial load of 10 kN
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Maximum height (with motor at the top): 2,700 mm
- Overall footprint: 1,050 × 600 mm
- Clear distance between columns: 450 mm
- Actuator working stroke: 100 mm
- Maximum specimen height: 600 mm
- Machine weight: 750 kg
- Maximum dynamic …
13 MN (1,300 ton) FULL-SCALE TESTING MACHINE
This testing machine performs tensile, compression and bending tests on steel pipes for gas and oil pipelines. It can perform cyclic tests at frequencies of up to 5 Hz and tests on internally or externally pressurized pipes. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Maximum compression force: 10 MN
- Maximum tensile force: 13 MN
- Maximum bending moment: 30 ton·m
- Maximum pipe diameter: 14" (356 mm)
- Maximum pipe length: 2,000 mm
FPF50 Servo-Hydraulic Testing Machine
Two-column testing machine equipped with a hydrostatically supported servo-hydraulic actuator mounted above the upper crosshead and a slotted support base.
The load cell can be mounted either on the actuator or on the lower crosshead.
FPF100 Servo-Hydraulic Testing Machine
Two-column testing machine equipped with a servo-hydraulic actuator mounted beneath the lower crosshead and a slotted support base.
The load cell can be mounted either on the actuator or on the upper crosshead.