Tensile Strength and Elongation of Conductors

This method is intended for use in determining the tensile strength and percentage elongation at break of conductors (minor changes are necessary if the test is to be performed on a finished wire or cable).This test may be used on conductors either before application of insulation or after application with the insulation removed. The insulation application process may affect the elongation and break strength of the conductor.

The specimen shall be a conductor removed from its insulation. The specimen is placed in the grips of a calibrated power-driven tensile test machine and adjusted such that the tension will be distributed uniformly over the cross-section of the specimen. The elongation at the break of the conductor shall be determined by means of a recording device on the testing machine. The speed of separation of the test grips is determined by applicable standards. Tensile strength of each specimen shall be calculated using mathematical formulas provided in the specification document.

The test procedure described here is taken from MIL-STD-2223 and has been modified to reflect the purpose and general procedure of this test. The specific test procedures may vary depending on the particular test standard.