PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
DOE-HDBK-1017/1-93
Properties of Metal
The percent elongation reported in a tensile test is defined as the maximum elongation of the
gage length divided by the original gage length. The measurement is determined as shown in
Figure 6.
Figure 6 Measuring Elongation After Fracture
Percent elongation =
(2-13)
final gage length initial gage length
initial gage length
=
= inches per inch x 100
(2-14)
Lx Lo
Lo
Reduction of area is the proportional reduction of the cross-sectional area of a tensile test piece
at the plane of fracture measured after fracture.
Percent reduction of area (RA) =
(2-15)
area of original cross section minimum final area
area of original cross section
=
x 100
(2-16)
Ao Amin
Ao
decrease in area
original area
square inches
square inches
MS-02
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