Designation: E345 − 16

Standard Test Methods of

Tension Testing of Metallic Foil1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E345; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 These test methods cover the tension testing of metallic 3.1 The definitions of terms relating to tension testing
foil at room temperature. Exception to these methods may be appearing in Terminology E6 apply to the terms used in these
necessary in individual specifications or test methods for a methods of tension testing.
particular material.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded 4. Significance and Use
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical 4.1 Tension tests provide information on the strength and
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa- ductility of materials under uniaxial tensile stresses. This
tion only and are not considered standard. information may be useful in comparisons of materials, alloy
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the development, quality control, and design.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4.2 The results of tension tests from selected portions of a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- part or material may not totally represent the strength and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- ductility of the entire end product of its in-service behavior in
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. different environments.
2. Referenced Documents 4.3 These test methods are considered satisfactory for ac-
2 ceptance testing of commercial shipments, since the methods
2.1 ASTM Standards:
have been used extensively for these purposes.
B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor
Materials 4.4 Tension tests provide a means to determine the ductility
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines of materials through the measurement of elongation or reduc-
E6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing tion of area. However, as specimen thickness is reduced,
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma- tension tests may become less useful for determining ductility.
terials For these purposes Test Method E796 is an alternative proce-
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to dure for measuring ductility.
Determine Conformance with Specifications 4.5 Different industries differentiate between foil and sheet
E252 Test Method for Thickness of Foil, Thin Sheet, and at different thicknesses.
Film by Mass Measurement
E796 Test Method for Ductility Testing of Metallic Foil NOTE 1—In 2013, to harmonize with international standards, the
Aluminum Association revised its definition of foil to include thicknesses
(Withdrawn 2009)3 less than or equal to 0.2 mm (0.0079 in.).
E2309 Practices for Verification of Displacement Measuring
Systems and Devices Used in Material Testing Machines 4.6 This standard differs from Test Methods E8/E8M in that
it permits determining the specimen thickness by weighing
(7.3) and determining the elongation from crosshead displace-
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E28 on ment for some specimens (7.8).
Mechanical Testing and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E28.04 on
Uniaxial Testing. 4.7 It is impossible for this standard to define the thickness
Current edition approved July 15, 2016. Published August 2016. Originally range for every possible alloy where this standard should be
approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E345 – 93 (2013)ɛ1.
DOI: 10.1520/E0345-16. used instead of Test Methods E8/E8M or other tensile test
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or standards. Superior results for a specific alloy and thickness
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM could be obtained by measuring the specimen thickness by
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
weighing (7.3) to avoid damaging the material and to obtain
the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on sufficient accuracy. In addition, it may be acceptable for a
www.astm.org. given alloy and thickness to determine the elongation from

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 E345 − 16
crosshead displacement in cases where conventional extensom- smooth faces and that the gripping pressure be about 0.7 MPa
eters that contact the specimen or scribed fiducial marks could (100 psi) for each 0.025 mm (0.001 in.) of specimen thickness.
damage the specimen or affect the test results.
6. Test Specimen
5. Apparatus
6.1 General—Test specimens shall be prescribed in the
5.1 Testing Machines—Machines used for tension testing product specification for the material being tested. If a Type A
shall conform to the requirements of Practices E4. The forces specimen is used, all specimen dimensions, test procedures,
used in determining tensile strength, yield strength, and yield and calculations shall comply with those shown in Test
point shall be within the verified loading range of the testing Methods E8/E8M.
machine as defined in Practices E4.
6.2 Type A Specimen—Type A specimens shall be in accor-
5.2 Gripping Devices: dance with the 12.5-mm (0.500 in.) sheet-type specimen shown
5.2.1 General—Various types of gripping devices may be in Fig. 1. To avoid lateral buckling in tests of some materials,
used to transmit the measured force applied by the testing the minimum radius of the fillet should be 19 mm (0.75 in.), or
machine to the test specimen. To ensure axial tensile stress the width of the grip ends should be only slightly larger than
within the gauge length, the axis of the test specimen shall the width of the reduced section, or both.
coincide with the center line of the heads of the testing
machine. Any departure from this center line could introduce 6.3 Type B Specimens—Type B specimens shall be in
bending stresses that are not included in the usual stress accordance with the 12.5-mm (0.500 in.) wide parallel sided
computation (force divided by cross-sectional area). specimen shown in Fig. 1.
5.2.2 Wedge Grips—Testing machines usually are equipped
with wedge grips. These wedge grips generally furnish a 7. Procedures
satisfactory means of gripping long specimens of ductile 7.1 Type A Specimen Preparation—The specimens may be
materials in the thicker foil gauges. If, for any reason, one grip machined in packs by use of a milling-type cutter. Examine the
of a pair advances farther than the other as the grips tighten, an machined specimens under about 20× magnification to deter-
undesirable bending stress could be introduced. When liners mine that the edges are smooth and that there are no surface
are used behind the wedges, they shall be of the same thickness scratches or creases. Reject specimens that show discernible
and their faces shall be flat and parallel. For proper gripping, it scratches, creases, or edge discontinuities. Sharpened or renew
is desirable that the entire length of the serrated face of each the milling-type cutter when necessary. When machining some
wedge be in contact with the specimen. A buffer material such thicknesses and tempers of material the samples may be
as 320-grit silicon carbide paper may be inserted between the interleaved with hard aluminum sheet, a plastic, or other
specimen and serrated faces to minimize tearing of specimens. suitable material. For some materials the edges of the speci-
5.2.3 Smooth Face Grips—For foils less than 0.076 mm mens may be polished, either mechanically or by electropol-
(0.003 in.) thickness, it may be desirable that the grips have ishing.

Dimensions
Specimen
Type A Type B
mm in. mm in.
G—Gauge length 50.0 ± 0.1 2.000 ± 0.005 125 5
W—Width 12.50 ± 0.25 0.500 ± 0.010 12.5 0.500
T—Thickness thickness of foil thickness of foil
R—Radius of fillet, min 19 0.75 ... ...
L—Overall Length, min 200 8 230 9
A—Length of reduced section, min 60 2.25 ... ...
B—Length of grip section, min 50 2 ... ...
C—Width of grip section, approx. 20 0.75 12.5 0.500

NOTE 1—For Type A specimens, the ends of the reduced section shall not differ in width by more than 0.05 mm (0.002 in.). Also, there may be a gradual
decrease in width from the ends to the center, but the width at either end shall not be more than 0.10 mm (0.005 in.) larger than the width at the center.
NOTE 2—The dimension T is the thickness of the test specimen as provided for in the applicable material specifications.
NOTE 3—For Type B specimens, measure the gauge length, G, to an accuracy of 0.25 mm (0.01in).
FIG. 1 Foil Tension Test Specimen

2
 E345 − 16
7.2 Type B Specimen Preparation—The specimens, particu- specified yield strength or yield point, or up to one quarter the
larly of soft and of thin hard metals, may be prepared by specified tensile strength, whichever is smaller. The speed
shearing, for example, by use of a double-bladed cutter4 (Fig. above this point shall be within the limits specified. If different
2) or by slitting. The cutting edges should be lubricated, if speed limitations are required in determining yield strength,
necessary, with a material such as stearic acid in alcohol or yield point, tensile strength, and elongation, they should be
another suitable material. Examine the finished specimens stated in the product specification. In the absence of any
under about 20× magnification to determine that the edges are specified limitations on the speed of testing the following
smooth and there are no surface scratches or creases. Reject general rules shall apply:
specimens that show discernible surface scratches, creases, or 7.4.1 The speed of testing shall be such that the forces and
edge discontinuities. strains used in obtaining the test results are accurately indi-
7.3 Specimen Measurement: cated.
7.3.1 Thickness: 7.4.2 When yield strength or yield point is to be determined,
7.3.1.1 The thickness of hard or soft foils may be deter- the rate of stress application shall not exceed 12 MPa/s (100
mined by weighing using Test Method E252 or by the use of ksi/min) but shall be greater than 0.12 MPa/s (1 ksi/min). The
other measuring devices such as an optimeter, an electrical- speed may be increased after removal of the extensometer, but
type measuring device, or a micrometer. it shall not exceed 0.5 mm/mm (in./in.) of reduced section (or
7.3.1.2 When determining the thickness by weighing using distance between grips for specimens not having reduced
Test Method E252, weigh at least two specimens together section) per min.
when it is practical. When Type B specimens are not used, a 7.4.3 The rate of straining shall be 0.06 to 0.5 mm/mm/min.
sample in accordance with Test Method E252 may be used if it (in./in./min) when the yield strength is not being determined,
is taken from an area adjacent to the area from which the test except when the product specification requires a different
specimens were taken. speed.
7.3.1.3 Regardless of the measurement method, measure 7.4.4 When yield strength is to be determined, the rate of
the thickness of the specimen to either 2 % of the thickness or straining shall be 0.002 to 0.010 mm/mm/min. (in./in./min)
0.0025 mm (0.0001 in.), whichever is more accurate. until the stress is above the yield strength.
7.3.2 Width—Measure and record the specimen width di- 7.5 Rounding—Round all values of strength to the nearest 1
mension to the nearest 0.025 mm (0.001 in.). MPa (0.1 ksi) and each value of elongation to the nearest
7.4 Speed of Testing—Unless otherwise specified, any con- 0.5 %, unless specified otherwise, in accordance with the
venient speed of testing may be used up to one half the rounding method of Practice E29.
7.6 Yield Strength—Determine yield strength by the offset or
extension-under-load method, as follows:
4
The sole source of supply of the Thwing-Albert JDC-50 precision cutter known 7.6.1 Offset Method—On the stress-strain diagram (Fig. 3)
to the committee at this time is Thwing-Albert Instrument Co., 14 W. Collings Ave.
West Berlin, NJ 08091. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this lay off om equal to the specified value of the “offset,” draw mn
information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive parallel to oA, and thus locate r, the intersection of the mn with
careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee,1 which the stress-strain curve (see also, 7.6.2.2). In reporting values of
you may attend.

FIG. 2 Double-Bladed Cutter for Making Type B Specimens

3
 E345 − 16
7.8.2 When elongation is to be determined and Type B
specimens are used, the minimum and preferred distance
between grips shall be 125 mm (5.00 in.), and the elongation
may be determined from the differences in the distance
between the grips before testing and at fracture. Measure the
initial separation of the grips and their separation at failure to
an accuracy of 0.25 mm (0.01 in). Meeting this accuracy
requires that the displacement measuring system conform to
Practices E2309 Class D.
7.8.3 When elongation is reported, the value shall be shown
to the nearest 0.5 %.

8. Replacement of Specimens
8.1 A test specimen may be discarded and a replacement
FIG. 3 Stress-Strain Diagram for Determination of Yield Strength specimen taken from the same sample remnant, if possible, in
by the Offset Method the following cases:
8.1.1 The original specimen had surface scratches or
yield strength obtained by this method, the specified value of creases.
offset used should be stated in parentheses after the term yield 8.1.2 The original specimen had a poorly machined surface.
strength. Thus: yield strength (offset = 0.2 %) = 359 MPa (52.1 8.1.3 The original specimen had the wrong dimensions.
ksi). 8.1.4 The specimen’s properties were changed because of
7.6.2 Extension-Under-Load-Method—For tests to deter- poor machining practice.
mine the acceptance or rejection of material whose stress-strain
8.1.5 The test procedure was incorrect.
characteristics are well known from previous tests of similar
8.1.6 The fracture was outside the gauge length.
material in which stress-strain diagrams (Fig. 3) were plotted,
the total strain corresponding to the stress at which the 8.1.7 For elongation determinations, the fracture was out-
specified offset occurs will be known within satisfactory limits. side the middle half of the gauge length when using Type A
In such tests a specified total strain may be used, and the stress specimens.
on the specimen, when this total strain is reached, is the value 8.1.8 There was a malfunction of the testing equipment.
of the yield strength.
7.6.2.1 Automatic devices are available that determine off- 9. Report
set yield strength without plotting a stress-strain curve. Such 9.1 The report shall include the following:
devices may be used if their accuracy has been demonstrated to 9.1.1 Metal or alloy, temper, lot or heat number,
be acceptable. 9.1.2 Test specimen orientation and type,
7.6.2.2 If the load drops before the specified offset is 9.1.3 Methods of determining yield strength and elongation,
reached, technically the material does not have a yield strength and
(for that offset), but the stress at maximum load before the 9.1.4 Mechanical properties.
specified offset is reached may be reported as the yield
strength.
10. Precision and Bias
7.7 Tensile Strength—Calculate the tensile strength by di-
10.1 Precision—The precision of these methods is to be
viding the maximum force carried by the specimen by the
established.
original cross-sectional area of the specimen.
7.8 Elongation: 10.2 Bias—There are no available standards for determina-
7.8.1 When elongation is to be determined and Type A tion of bias.
specimens are used, the 50-mm (2-in.) gauge length may be
lightly marked on the specimen by scribing fine lines using a 11. Keywords
scriber with 0.025mm (0.001 in.) radius and a precision ground 11.1 ductility (elongation); metallic foil; specimen mea-
template. The scribed lines should be about 3 mm (1⁄8 in.) long surements (dimensions); specimen preparation; specimen type
and should not be placed near the specimen edges or in the (A vs. B); speed of testing; strength (ultimate and yield);
fillet radii. tension testing; uniaxial tensile stresses

4
 E345 − 16
APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. DENSITY

X1.1 When Type B tension test specimens or samples are Density, D

weighed to determine their thickness, the established value of Material5 lb/in.3 g/cm3
5050 0.097 2.69
density for the material should be used in the equation 5052 0.097 2.68
T = W ⁄AD. 5056 0.095 2.64
X1.1.2 Copper Alloys:
where:
Density, D
T = thickness of specimen or sample, Material g/in.3 g/cm3
W = mass of specimen or sample, EPT No. 110 146.06 8.91
A = area of specimen or sample, and OF 146.06 8.91
CDA No. 260 139.71 8.53
D = density of material.
Density of other copper alloys may be obtained from Table 2
X1.1.1 Aluminum Alloys:5 of Test Method B193.
Density, D X1.1.3 Lead Alloys: The densities of lead-tin-antimony
Material5 lb/in.3 g/cm3
1100 0.098 2.71 alloys may be calculated by the equation:
1145 0.0975 2.700
K
1180 0.0975 2.700 D5 (X1.1)
1199 0.0975 2.700 x Pb x Sn x Sb
1235 0.0975 2.705
1 1
0.4097 0.2637 0.2390
3003 0.099 2.73
where:
D = density of the alloy,
xPb = mass fraction of lead in the alloy,
xSn = mass fraction of tin in the alloy,
xSb = mass fraction of antimony in the alloy,
K = 453.59 g/in.3 for densities expressed in
g/in.3 ,
5
Density Source: “International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition K = 27.680 g/cm3 for densities expressed in
Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought Aluminum Alloys, Registration Record g/cm3, and
Series Teal Sheets,” The Aluminum Association 1525 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
xPb + xSn +xSb = 1
VA 22209 2009. http://www.aluminum.org

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the Copyright Clearance Center, 222
Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: (978) 646-2600; http://www.copyright.com/