MECHANICAL TESTING LABORATORY

Due to the very large number of tests offered, descriptions of those most commonly requested have been gathered into the following groups:

True Stress / True Strain

To request a quotation for any test email info@trl.com for a prompt reply

Whereas engineering stress is based on the original dimensions of a specimen, the true stress is based on an instantaneous measurement of the cross-sectional area. True stress-true strain curves are often called flow curves, which represent plastic flow of the material. The flow curve is often used to determine two parameters characteristic of the material, the strain hardening exponent and the coefficient of the strength of the material. These values often need to be determined for any type of cold formation of the material.

For ductile metals in tension, the material becomes unstable and begins to neck after a particular load is applied. The engineering stress-strain curve will indicate that less stress is needed to further deform the material, when in actuality, the necked area requires more stress for further deformation. This increase in stress is known as strain hardening. The true stress of a material far exceeds the engineering stress and continues to increase until the point of failure.

Please email info@trl.com or call (304) 547-5800 for information regarding test procedures, results, specimen information, pricing or any other True Stress / True Strain questions you may have.