Tensile testing
Yield strength describes the onset of specified plastic deformation; tensile strength is the maximum engineering stress in the test. The tensile strength is calculated as maximum force divided by original specimen area. Convert force and area consistently: one N/mm² equals one MPa.
Ductility and toughness
An elongation percentage requires its gauge length and specimen geometry. Charpy results require test temperature, specimen dimensions and orientation. Neither elongation nor impact energy can be inferred reliably from a hardness reading. A table of typical values is not a lot-specific acceptance record.
Inspection sequence
Agree the inspection and test plan before production. Link sampled material to the heat and test unit, record the laboratory and survey requirements, and retain individual as well as average results. Re-tests and rejected material must follow the governing rules; they are not resolved by silently averaging unrelated specimens.
Information to record
- Exact product standard and edition; approved drawing or specification revision.
- Grade, dimensions, final condition and heat-to-piece traceability.
- Acceptance test, inspection document and responsible approving party.
Frequently asked questions
Can hardness testing replace a tensile certificate?
No. Hardness may support process checks, but acceptance tests must follow the specified material rule and approved inspection plan.
Sources and reference scope
- Procurement and editorial guidance — Cross-checked against product terminology and the cited material rules
Guidance describes checks to request. It is not a claim of available stock, certificates or completed project engineering. - 钢材产品简介 — Slides 3, 5–6, 15–19
Product forms, units and grade vocabulary; not proof of current stock or class certification. - IACS UR W11 Rev.9 (May 2017) — Sections 1–8; chemistry tables 1–2 and mechanical tables 6–7
Reference values are conditioned on grade, thickness, specimen and project rule. Not ASTM A131 acceptance data. - 中外钢铁牌号速查手册（第4版） — PDF pp. 275–277; printed pp. 264–266, tables 5-4/5-5
GB 712—2011 chemistry is historical reference, not a current contract standard. Table footnotes inspected.