U.D.C.: 620.720.669.

14

March 1980

EURONORM

Tensile test on steel

2-80

CONTENTS
1

SCOPE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION

TEST PRINCIPLE

DEFINITIONS AND SYMBOLS

TEST CONDITIONS
5.1 Rate of stressing
5.2 Accuracy of the test equipment
5.3 Gripping method

3.1 Gauge length

3.2 Extensometer gauge length

DETERMINATION
FRACTURE

DETERMINATION
OF
NON-PROPORTIONAL
TOTAL ELONGATION

METHOD OF VERIFYING THE PERMANENT SET

STRESS

3.3 Elongation

OF

ELONGATION

AFTER

3.4 Reduction of area

3.5 Load
3.6 Stress
4

PROOF
STRESS

ELONGATION
AND

TEST PIECES
4.1 General shape
4.2 Shape and dimensions of the parallel portion
4.3 Parallel length
4.4 Gauge length

ANNEX Nomogram for calculating gauge length of test

pieces of rectangular cross-section

4.5 Preparation of test pieces

COMMENTS
1

SCOPE A N D FIELD OF APPLICATION

This EURONORM specifies requirements for a tensile test

on steel products and defines the mechanical properties
which can be determined by this test. It applies to steel
products of diameter equal to or greater than 4 mm or
thickness equal to or greater than 3 mm and to products of
2

T E S T PRINCIPLE

The test consists of straining a test piece by tensile stress,

generally to fracture, with a view to determining one or
more of the properties given below.

3
3.1

small dimensions such as bars and sections. There are

separate standards applicable to tensile tests on certain
products such as wires and tubes. Thin sheets are covered
by EURONORM 11.

The test shall be carried out at ambient temperature (23 C

5 C) unless otherwise specified. If a test temperature
outside the range 18 C28 C is used this shall be
reported.

DEFINITIONS A N D SYMBOLS

Gauge length

3.1.1

The gauge length, at a given moment in the test, is the

length of the cylindrical or prismatic part of the test piece
over which elongation is to be measured. In particular, a
distinction is to be made between the following:

Original gauge length

The original gauge length (L0) is the gauge length before

the test piece is strained.
3.1.2

Final gauge length

The final gauge length (Lu) is the gauge length after the test
piece has been fractured and the fractured parts have been
carefully fitted together so that their longitudinal axes are
coincident.

Only the last edition of the EURONORMS quoted is valid

Copyright by the Standardization Offices of the European Communities' Member States

Page 2
3.2

Extensometer gauge length

The extensometer gauge length (L e ) is the length of the

parallel portion of the test piece used for the measurement
of extension by means of an extensometer. (This length
may differ from L 0 but shall be greater than b or d (see
table 1) and less than the parallel length Lc.)

3.3

Elongation

The elongation is, at a given moment in the test, the

variation in the gauge length.
3.3.1

Percentage permanent set elongation

The percentage permanent set elongation is the variation in

the gauge length of the test piece after application then
removal of a specified stress (see 3.6.3); this increase is
expressed as a percentage of the original gauge length. If a
symbol for this elongation is used it shall be supplemented
by an index indicating the specified stress.
3.3.2

Percentage elongation after fracture

The percentage elongation after fracture (A) is the

permanent elongation of the gauge length after fracture
Lu L 0 expressed as a percentage of the original gauge
length L0.
Note: In the case of proportional test pieces, only when the
gauge length is other than 5 65 l/So, (*) S 0 being the
original cross-sectional area of the parallel length, is A
supplemented by an index indicating the coefficient of
proportionality, thus:
A 11,3 = percentage elongation after fracture on an original
gauge length of 11-3 |/S 0 .
In the
to be
gauge
Aso =

case of non-proportional test pieces, the symbol A is

supplemented by an index indicating the original
length used, for example:
percentage elongation after fracture on an original
gauge length of 80 mm.

3.4

Reduction of area

The reduction of area is the local reduction in

cross-sectional area of the test piece which has occurred
during the test due to the effect of stress.
3.4.1

Percentage reduction of area

The percentage reduction of area (Z) is the ratio of the

maximum change in the cross-sectional area, S 0 S u ,
which has occurred during the test to the original
cross-sectional area S 0 . It is expressed as a percentage.
The original cross-sectional area (S0) is the cross-sectional
area before the test piece is strained.
The minimum cross-sectional area after fracture (Su) is the
minimum cross-sectional area after fracture measured after
the test pieces have been fitted together again.

[1)565]/^ = 5]/0

3.5
3.5.1

Load
Maximum load

The maximum load (F m ) is the highest load which the test

piece withstands during the test.

3.6

Stress

The stress is, at any time during the test, the load divided
by the original cross-sectional area S 0 of the test piece.
3.6.1

Tensile strength

The tensile strength (R is the stress corresponding to the

maximum load.
3.6.2

Yield stress

The yield stress is also known as the apparent yield stress.

The following distinctions are made:
3.6.2.1

Upper yield stress

The upper yield stress (ReH) ' s t n e value of the stress at the
moment when the first actual fall in stress is observed (see
figure 1).
3.6.2.2

Lower yield stress

The lower yield stress (R e L) is the lowest value of the stress

during plastic deformation at yield but disregarding any
initial transient effects (see figure 1).
3.6.3

Permanent set stress

The permanent set stress (Rr) is also known as the stress at

permanent set limit: the stress which corresponds, after
removal of load, to a specified permanent elongation,
expressed as a percentage of the original gauge length. The
specified value is often 02%. The symbol used is followed
by an index denoting the specified percentage of the
original gauge length, for example R r 02 (see figure 2).
3.6.4

Proof stress (non-proportional elongation)

The proof stress (non-proportional elongation) (R p ), is also

known as proof stress, and is the stress corresponding to a
non-proportional elongation equal to a specified percentage
of the original gauge length. The specified value is often
0-2%. The symbol used is followed by an index denoting
the specified percentage of the original gauge length, for
example Rp0-2 (see figure 3).
3.6.5

Proof stress (total elongation)

The proof stress (total elongation) (R t ), or proof stress

under load, is the stress corresponding to a total elongation
(elastic elongation plus plastic elongation) equal to a
specified percentage of the original gauge length. The
specified value is often 0-5%. The symbol used is followed
by an index denoting the specified percentage of the
original gauge length, for example R t 0-5 (see figure 4).

Page 3
Table I
Svmbols and units of measurement
Reference
number f1)

Units of
measurement

Svmbois

Designations

mm

Diameter of test piece with circular cross-section

mm

Thickness of flat test piece

mm

Width of flat test piece

mm

L0

Original gauge length

mm

L,

Parallel length

mm

Le

Extensometer gauge length

mm

L,

Total length of test piece

6
7

Gripped ends

mm 2

So

Original cross-sectional area of tne parallel length

mm

Lu

Final gauge length

Su

Minimum cross-sectional area after fracture

Re

Upper yield stress

Re

Lower yield stress

10

mm

11

N / m m 2 (3)
2

12

N/mm

13

Maximum load

14

N/mm2

Rn

Tensile strength

15

mm

Lu-L 0

Permanent elongation after fracture

16(2)

Percentage elongation after fracture:

^ - ^ x l O O
Lo

17

Percentage reduction of area:

S - S

18

N/mm 2

19

20

N/mm 2

21

22

N/mm

x 100

s0
R,

Permanent set stress

Permanent set elongation

Proof stress (non-proportional elongation)

Specified non-proportional elongation

R,

Proof stress (total elongation)

Sec figures 1 to 7.
In the case of proportional test pieces the symbol A is followed by an index indicating the coefficient of proportionality k in the formula
L 0 k "J S 0 when it is other than 5-65.
In the case of non-proportional test pieces, the symbol A is followed by an index indicating the original gauge length used.
1 N / m m 2 = 1 M Pa.

Page 4
4
4.1

TEST PIECES

General shape

The machined test pieces shall have a transition curve

suitably radiused between the parallel length and the
gripped ends. The gripped ends may be of any shape
suitable for the grips of the testing machines.
In some cases, sections, bars, etc. may be tested without
being machined. In these cases, the free lengths between the
grips of the machine shall be sufficient to ensure that the
gauge marks are at a reasonable distance from the grips.
4.2

For test pieces of rectangular cross-section, it is

recommended that a width/thickness ratio of 8 : 1 should
not be exceeded.
As a general rule, the diameter of the parallel portion
of cylindrical machined test pieces shall not be less than
4 mm.

Tolerances

Shape and dimensions of the parallel portion

The cross-section pf the test piece may be circular, square,

rectangular, or in special cases, of other shapes.

The tolerances on the cross-sectional dimensions of the test

pieces are specified in table II below. An example of the
application of these tolerances is given in comment No 1.

Table II
Tolerances on cross-sectional dimensions of test pieces
Cross-sectional dimensions of test pieces

Diameter of machined circular cross-section

test pieces

Nominal dimensions in mm

over
not over

3
6

over
not over

Tolerances on form in mm

006

0-03 ( 2 )

6
10

0-075

0-04 ( 2 )

over
not over

10
18

009

0-04 ( 2 )

over
not over

18
30

0105

0-05 (2)

Cross-sectional dimensions of rectangular test

pieces machined on the 4 faces
Cross-sectional dimensions of rectangular test
pieces machined on two opposite faces only

Machining tolerances on
nominal dimensions (') in mm

Same tolerances as for the diameter

of test pieces of circular
cross-section
over
not over

3
6

0-18 (3)

over
not over

6
10

0-22 (3)

over
not over

10
18

0-27 (3)

over
not over

18
30 j

0-33 (3)

over
not over

30 1
50 I

0-39 (3)

f 1 ) The machining tolerances (js 12 to ISO/R 2,Ni>

ipplicable when it is desired to use the nominal value of the cross-section in the calculation,
without need to measure it.
2
( ) Tolerance IT 4 \ Maximum deviation between the measurements of a specified cross-sectional dimension along the parallel length of the
( 3 ) Tolerance IT l J test piece.

Page 5
4.3

Parallel length

4.4

The parallel length L c shall be between:

L 0 +~2~ and L 0 + 2 d in the case of test pieces of
circular cross-section;

Gauge length

4.4.1

Proportional test pieces

L 0 + 1-5 |/S 0 and L 0 + 2-5 |/S 0 in the case of

prismatic test pieces.

A proportional test piece is a test piece having a gauge

length related to the cross-section in the ratio L 0 = k 1 S0
where k is equal to 5-65. For test pieces of circular
cross-section this gives L 0 = 5 d.

According to the type of test piece, the length L 0 + 2 d or

L 0 + 2 |/S 0 shall be used in cases of dispute, provided
there is sufficient material.

Test pieces of circular cross-section should preferably have

the dimensions given in the table below.

Table III
Dimensions for test pieces of circular cross-section
k

Gauge length
I-o = k \| S
in mm

Diameter
d
in mm

100 1-0

20 0-150

50 0-5

10 0-075

Cross-section
S0
in m m 2

314

Parallel length

Total length

in mm

in mm

110 to 140

5-65
78-5

A nomogram in the annex to this standard facilitates the

calculation of the gauge length corresponding to the actual
dimensions of test pieces of rectangular cross-section.

4.4.2

55 to 70

Depends on the method of

gripping the test piece in the
machine grips
In principle:
Lt:>Lc+2d
or
L,2? L c + 4 d

elongation on the proportional gauge length can then be

deduced by means of conversion tables from the elongation
obtained. However, in cases of dispute, the elongation
measured on the non-proportional test piece can only be
accepted if the product standard explicitly specifies this.

Non-proportional test pieces

For economic reasons, it is sometimes necessary in the

series testing of flat test pieces to adopt an original gauge
length that is independent of the cross-section. The

4.5

Preparation of test pieces

The test pieces shall be taken and prepared in accordance

with EURONORM 18.

5 TEST CONDITIONS
5.1

Rate of stressing

5.1.1
5.1.1.1

Yield stresses
Upper yield stress

In the elastic range, the rate of stressing of the test piece

shall not exceed 30 N/mm 2 s.
In cases of dispute, the minimum rate shall not be less than
3 N/mm 2 s.
5.1.1.2

stressing just before the onset of yielding after which the

machine control shall not be changed again until yield
stress has been determined.
Under no circumstances may the rate of stressing in the
elastic range exceed 30 N/mm 2 s.
5.1.1.3

Proof stresses

For determination of the proof stress (non-proportional

elongation) (RP) or proof stress (total elongation) (R t ), the
rate of stressing shall not exceed 30 N/mm 2 s.

Lower yield stress

The rate of straining of the parallel length of the test piece

shall not exceed 0-0025/s. The rate of straining of the
parallel length shall be kept constant. If this rate cannot be
regulated directly, it must be fixed by regulating the rate of

5.1.2

Tensile strength

To determine the tensile strength, the rate of separation of

the crossheads of the testing machine, expressed as a
percentage of the parallel length per minute shall not at any

Page 6
time exceed in the plastic range twice the specified
minimum elongation plus 10. In cases of dispute, the
minimum rate of separation shall not be less than 1/10 of
the limit defined above.

5.3

Gripping method

When testing steels of a nominal tensile strength below

1 100 N/mm 2 and if it is not intended to determine their
yield stress, the rate in the elastic range is permitted to
attain the limit specified above for the plastic range.

5.3.1
Test pieces shall be held by suitable means, e.g. wedges,
screwed holders, shouldered holders, etc.

In all cases, the testing rate shall be kept as constant as

possible and the change in rate from the elastic to the
plastic range shall be made gradually and without shock.

5.2 Accuracy of the test equipment

The testing machine shall be calibrated in accordance with
the requirements of EURONORM 157 (at present in
preparation) and shall be maintained to grade 1 0 unless
otherwise specified.

5.3.2
Every endeavour shall be made to ensure that the test
pieces are gripped so that the load is applied as axial as
possible. This is particularly important for the testing of
brittle materials or for the determination of proof or
apparent yield stresses.

6 DETERMINATION OF ELONGATION AFTER FRACTURE

6.1
As a general rule, the elongation is measured on the gauge
length k |/S 0 which is marked before the test to within
1%. For this purpose, the two broken parts of the test piece
are carefully fitted together axially in such a way that their
axes lie in a straight line. The variation in the gauge length
is measured to within 0-25 mm f1) and the calculated value
of the elongation after fracture is rounded off to the nearest
1%.
This method of determination is applied only if the distance
from the fracture to the nearest gauge mark is not less than
one-third of the gauge length after fracture for proportional
test pieces (L 0 = 5-65 J/S0). However, the measurement
remains valid, whatever the position of the fracture, if the
elongation reaches the specified value.

Before the test, subdivide the gauge length L 0 into N equal

parts.
After the test, let A be the end mark on the short fragment
and the graduation mark on the long fragment, the
distance of which from the fracture is most nearly equal to
the distance from the fracture to the end mark A.
If is the number of intervals between A and B, the
elongation after fracture is determined as follows:
The two pieces are fitted together as specified in 6.1.
(a) If is an even number (see figure 9):
Measure the distance between A and and the distance
from to the division C located at:

Note: In tests using automatic machines and when the

elongation indicated by the machine is the total elongation,
the elastic elongation shall be deducted to obtain the
percentage elongation after fracture.

j - " - spaces beyond B;

Calculate the percentage elongation after fracture by

the formula:
.

AB + 2 BC - L

...

100.

f-o

6.2

Special case

To avoid having to reject test pieces which fracture outside

the limits specified in 6.1, the following method may be
used: (2)

i1) See Comments Nos 2a and 2b.

(2) This method obviously is laborious and adds considerably to the length
of the operation. It should only be used in exceptional circumstances; it
would be justified, for instance, for a very large item from which it
would be impossible to take a sample for additional tests or re-testing.

(b) If is an odd number (see figure 10):

Measure the distance between A and and the distance
from to the division C' and C" located at:
N - n - 1 and
n j N - n + 1 spaces beyond respectively;
Then calculate the percentage elongation after fracture by
the formula:
.
AB + BC' + BC" - L0

A -=
2- 100

Page 7
7

DETERMINATION OF PROOF STRESS N O N - P R O P O R T I O N A L ELONGATION A N D TOTAL

ELONGATION

These properties are determined by a graphic method using

the load-extension curve.
Note: When tests are carried out on automatic machines,
these properties can be obtained directly without plotting
this curve.
7.1

Method
of
determining
proof
(non-proportional elongation) (Rp)

stress

The stress (ordinate) versus percentage extension (abscissa)

curve is plotted with suitable accuracy. On this diagram, a
line is drawn parallel to the straight-line portion of the
curve, the offset between the two, measured on the
extension axis, being equal to the specified percentage of
the original gauge length. The proof stress corresponds to
the intersection of this line with the curve.
When the straight-line portion of the load-extension
diagram is not defined sufficiently clearly for the parallel
line to be drawn with sufficient certainty, the following
procedure is recommended (see Figure 11).

After the assumed proof stress has been exceeded, the load
is reduced to approximately 10% of the load which had
been reached. The load is then increased again until it
exceeds the load originally reached. To determine the
desired proof stress, a straight line is drawn through the
hysteresis loop. A line is then drawn parallel to this straight
line, its distance from the origin of the curve, measured
along the abscissae, being equal to the specified
non-proportional elongation. The load corresponding to
the intersection of this parallel line and the load-extension
curve is the desired proof stress.

7.2

Method of determining
elongation) (R t )

proof

stress

(total

The stress (ordinate) versus percentage extension (abscissa)

curve is plotted with suitable accuracy. On this diagram, a
line is drawn parallel to the ordinate axis at a distance from
this axis equal to the specified percentage total extension.
The proof stress (total elongation) corresponds to the
intersection of this straight line with the curve.

M E T H O D OF VERIFYING T H E P E R M A N E N T SET STRESS (Rr)

The test piece is subjected to the load corresponding to the

specified permanent set stress for ten to twelve seconds
and, after the load has been removed, it is verified that the

permanent elongation is not greater than the specified

percentage of the original gauge length.

Page 8
ANNEX
Nomogram for the calculation of the gauge length of test pieces of rectangular cross-section
This nomogram is constructed by the alignment method (see A2).
Al

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Find on the outer scales the points a and b corresponding to

the width and thickness of the rectangular test piece.
Join these two points by a straight line (a stretched thread or
the edge of a ruler).
Read off the corresponding gauge length from the left-hand
side of the central scale where it is intersected by the straight
line.
Example:
a = 21 mm

b = 15-5 mm

L 0 = 102 mm

Notes
(1) With a reading error on L 0 of less than 1%, the nomogram
can be used in all cases without further calculation.

(2) The reading error may be greater than 1% for the area (S0),
so that the desired accuracy may not be reached in some
cases. It is then preferable to calculate the product of a and b
directly.

A2 CONSTRUCTION OF THE NOMOGRAM

Draw 3 equidistant parallel straight lines to form the bases of the
logarithmic scales. These shall be graduated with a unit such that
log 10 is represented by 250 mm; the 3 scales increase towards the
top of the page. Place the points (20) and (10) approximately in
the middle of the page on each of the lateral scales. Join up the two
points (10) on the lateral scales.
This line intersects the central scale at the point 56-5 on the lefthand side Lo of the central scale.
The area scale S 0 is the right-hand side of the central scale. The
point 56-5 is the point 100 on the area scale. Complete the graduation with a unit half the size of the previous one (log 10 =
125 mm).

Page 9

2000

250

60

30
1500

50

200

1000
40

20
150

SOO
30
400

100-

300

10

200

80

20

c
-s

15

"=
Lys

60

100
90

50

70
60

50

AO

10

<0

30

30

25

"

20

c
-s

II
LO

Page 10

COMMENTS
1

Examples of the application of tolerances (see Clause 4.2)

(a) Machining tolerance

The value given in table II, clause 4.2, i.e. 0 0 7 5 mm for a
nominal diameter of 10 mm, means that no test piece may
have a diameter outside the two values given below when the
nominal value of the cross-section is to be used in the calculation without need to measure it:
10 + 0-075 = 10075 mm
10 - 0 0 7 5 = 9-925 mm.
(b) Shape tolerance
The value given in table II, clause 4.2, means that for a given
test piece with a nominal diameter of 10 mm satisfying the
machining condition given above, the difference between the
smallest and largest measured diameter shall not exceed 0 0 4
mm.
Consequently, if the minimum diameter of this test piece is
9-99 mm, its maximum diameter shall not exceed:
9-99 + 0 0 4 = 1003 mm.
2

Elongation (see clause 6)

2.a
Application of the conventional rule set out in clause 6.1 is sometimes complicated by difficulties in fitting together the two parts of
the test piece (when the fracture is skewed). In this case the determination of the elongation after fracture is somewhat inaccurate.

2.b
Where the distance between the fractured cross-section and the
nearest gauge mark is less than one-third of the gauge length, after
fracture for proportional test pieces the measurement errs on the
negative side. However, if there is more than one necking section,
which is much less frequent, the error would be on the positive
side.

Various test conditions

The ends of test pieces with a circular cross-section may either be

clamped around their full circumference or be held by wedges or
grips along a length at least equal to twice the diameter of the
cross-section or be threaded over a length at least equal to their
own diameter, i1)
The ends of prismatic test pieces may be fixed either with pins or
with wedge grips. The pins shall have a cross-section at least equal
to twice the original cross-sectional area S 0 of the parallel length;
they are inserted into holes bored in each end. The wedge grips
shall bear on the ends over a length at least equal to twice the larger side of the cross-section of the test piece. If pins are used, the
useful cross-section of the end of the test piece shall be at least
twice the original cross-section of the parallel length.
Portions of sections, bars, etc. not provided with enlarged ends
shall be held in wedge grips over a length equal to at least three
times the diameter d of the smallest circle that can be circumscribed around the cross-section.
(') The use of ISO metric threads is recommended.

Page 11

Stress

% elongation
Figure 1
Upper and lower yield stress

Stress

Stress
Stress

elongation

elongation

Figure 2
Permanent set stress

% elongation
Figure 3
Proof stress
(non-proportional elongation)

Figure 4
Proof stress
(total elongation)

Page 12

"I U-i
h-

Q
/

j _

'

Figure 5

"

Li

+-

Figure 6
The shape of the test piece ends is given only as a guide

-t-

Page 13
Load

Elongation

Figure 7
Load-elongation

v~

L p = k]/So~
L c = L 0 + to Lo + 2d

a d to 2 d
<

a d to 2d
^

L ^ > L c + 2 d o r L c + 4 d depending on method of gripping

Figure 8
The shape of the test piece ends is given only as a guide

N
r

-'S1

Jj
r

'

^-11

--

S\

B N-n-1

CC"

2
Figure 10

Figure 9

Stress
Figure 11
Proof stress if the straight line portion of the stress-percentage
elongation diagram is not clearly defined

% elongation

H-

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