What does tensile testing measure?

Tensile testing specifically measures the response of a material when subjected to a pulling or tensile force. During this test, a sample is elongated until it reaches its breaking point, which allows engineers and materials scientists to assess several important properties of the material, including its ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and modulus of elasticity.

This testing process is crucial for understanding how materials will behave under tension in real-world applications, ensuring safety and performance in various engineering scenarios. The results help in determining whether the material is suitable for specific uses, making it a fundamental aspect of materials engineering.