Test Method Summary
This special tensile testing method per ASTM E646 is used to determine the strain-hardening exponents by utilizing stress-strain data of metallic sheet materials, which exhibit a continuous stress-strain curve in the plastic region.
Uniaxial displacement or strain is applied to rectangular material specimens with reduced parallel sections and the normal tensile load and strain are measured. The true stress, true strain, the strain-hardening exponent and the strength coefficient are calculated.
Solutions for ASTM E646 typically include these types of components:
Load Frame Options
MTS offers electromechanical Criterion® and Exceed® universal test systems and dynamic servohydraulic Landmark® test systems that are ideal for performing accurate and repeatable monotonic tensile testing of metallic materials per ASTM E646.
MTS Criterion universal testing systems are engineered to support the needs of advanced Research & Development. MTS Exceed universal testing systems are best suited for Quality Control testing by delivering the reliable performance needed to meet the uptime demands of high-volume production environments. Due to the large variety of metals and specimen dimensions that can be tested per ASTM E646, the required force capacities can differ significantly. MTS offers frame models that address the smaller force requirements for testing thin-sheet specimens up to high-force requirements for testing solid cylindric specimens with a large diameter.
The MTS Criterion and the MTS Exceed universal testing machines range from tabletop to floor-standing electromechanical models with force ratings of up to 600 kN / 135 kip. Many of the models also have dual-zone test spaces to reduce set-up times if you frequently change test requirements.
The MTS Landmark dynamic servohydraulic test system with its superior stiffness and alignment capabilities, is an ideal choice if additional fatigue and fracture testing capabilities are required. Systems are available in highly configurable floor-standing and tabletop models with force ratings from 5 kN / 1 kip to 500 kN / 110 kip.
As an alternative to a new load frame, you can replace outdated controls / hydraulics of existing MTS or another manufacturer’s electromechanical, servohydraulic or custom test systems, including: **Instron®, **Zwick®, **Tinius Olsen™, **SATEC®, **Baldwin® and more with an MTS ReNew™ Upgrade.
**Trademark owned by their respective owners, not affiliated with MTS Systems Corporation.
Extensometry Options
ASTM E646 requires that extensometers conform to ASTM E83. MTS offers a variety of extensometer types, ranging from clip-on, automatic to non-contacting optical and video extensometers, that meet or exceed requirements for calibration according to ASTM E83 Class B1 and ISO 9513 Class 0.5 standards. Factors like the specimen material, shape and dimension, the requirements for test efficiency and budget need to be considered when choosing the appropriate strain measurement solution.
Other Options
For other options related to this standard, please download the application test method tech note on this page.