Micro tensile test and its test volume

The micro tensile test is used for the mechanical characterization of materials on the micro level. The decisive criterion for the use of micro tensile tests is the necessary small test volumes in the range of a few millimeters down to micrometers. Miniaturization of mechanically systems makes knowledge of the deformation and strength behavior in this scale range necessary.

Tensile test on the micro and macro level

The tensile test on the macro level with specimen diameters of several millimeters is set as the standard to measure stress-strain curves. A corresponding large volume is deformed, which reflects in the elastic and plastic deformation behavior. The microstructure of materials can differ from the macrostructure behavior. Rather, the hardening, strength and strain behavior at the macro level result from the properties of the microstructure.

Example welded joint: Welding filler materials and the thermal influence into the base material change the local microstructure of the base material. The corresponding heat-affected zone is characterized by local differences in strain hardening, strength and elongation behavior.

Furthermore, true stress-strain curves on the micro level of materials are of great interest for FEM simulation as input data. For example, in the design and construction of micro-systems, reliable characteristic values for the mechanical properties at this level are very helpful.

As an alternative method to micro tensile test, nanoindentation is also frequently used as a tool for mechanical characterization.

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