HOW TO ASTM D638 Test with Poisson's Ratio Step by Step Guide

March 23, 2023

Cut or injection mold your material into one of the five “dumbbell” shapes specified in ASTM D638. The exact shape you use is dependent upon your material’s rigidity and thickness. 1b. Measure width and thickness of sample and input into test software.
Load the specimen into tensile grips.
Attach the extensometer to the sample. Note: Transverse extensometer is needed for Poisson’s Ratio
Start the test. Speed depends on specimen shape and can range from 0.05 – 20 inches per minute. The target time from start of test to break should be from .5 min to 5 minutes.
End the test after sample break and analyze the data.