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TCR Engineering
Macro of a ductile cup-and-cone tensile fracture face

Services · Materials Testing

Mechanical and Physical Testing

Beyond room-temperature tension, the frames run elevated-temperature tensile to ASTM E21 and ISO 6892-2, notched and through-thickness variants, strain-hardening exponent n and plastic-strain ratio r, plus Charpy impact to ASTM E23 and ISO 148-1.


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Mechanical testing is the highest-volume service line in the company. ASTM E8/E8M-22, the standard room-temperature tensile test, is the single highest-volume method in the laboratory. The capability spans tensile, yield, elongation, hardness, impact, bend, compression, and shear testing across the full range of metals, alloys, castings, and forgings.

Overview

Universal Testing Machines

  • Fatigue System Universal Testing Machine in capacity of 50 kN, 250 kN and 1,000 kN
  • Universal Testing Machine (UTM) of 1,000 kN capacity with Electronic Extensometer (Germany)
  • Model EU 40 UTM of 400 kN capacity with high Temperature (Germany)
  • Universal Testing Machine of 30,000 lbs capacity with Electronic Controls and Extensometer (USA)

Test Equipment

  • Erichsen Cupping Machine
  • Shadowgraph
  • Hydraulic Test Pump

Hardness Testers

  • Model MH 400 Micro Hardness Tester (USA)
  • Model HPO 250 Brinell / Vickers Hardness Tester (Germany)
  • Rockwell & Rockwell Superficial Hardness Testers

Impact Testers

  • Model IT 40 Charpy Impact Tester as per ASTM & ISO standard (400 Joule)
  • Model IT 30 Charpy / Izod Impact Tester (300 Joule)
  • SANS -ZBC245C Charpy Impact Tester (750 Joule)

Laboratory Facility

  • Complete workshop facilities including Lathe Machines, CNC wire cut machine, Hacksaw, Stress-free grinding equipment, Saws, Shaping Machine, Surface Grinding Machines, Milling Machines and Drilling Machines
  • Complete set of measuring and inspection instruments including Vernier Calipers, Micrometers, and Dial Gauges
  • Number of fixtures and attachments for various tests

TCR Engineering provides a diverse range of physical testing services that include:

  • Tensile / Transverse/Compression test
  • Tensile test with 0.2% proof stress, stress/strain diagram with electronic extensometer
  • Tensile test at an elevated temperature of up to 1100 °C with Extensometer and without Extensometer up to an elevated temperature of 400 °C
  • Tensile (n.k.r. value) / composite / plastic / fabric
  • Tensile test for fine wires/foils
  • Full section Tensile test for steel bar up to 40 mm diameter
  • Ball Test
  • Bend test / Reverse bend / Re-bend / Root / Face / side bend test
  • Flattening / Flaring Test
  • Re- bend test including aging
  • Proof load test on Nut up to 40,000 kg
  • Full-size breaking of bolt
  • Wedge load test / Head soundness test
  • Compression test of springs (up to 3 readings)
  • Charpy V notch Impact Test (a) R. T. as per ASTM E23 (for a total set of 3 specimens and 3 readings)
  • Impact Test above and below 60°C
  • Rockwell Hardness tester (scale A, B, C )
  • Vickers Hardness tester (Micro/Macro indentation)
  • Brinell Hardness tester
  • Jominy End Quench Test (with normalising heat treatment) as per ASTM A255
  • Sectional Weight of CTD/TMT/Reinforcement bars
  • Surface characteristics of CTD/TMT/Reinforcement bars
  • Hydraulic / Pneumatic Test
  • Shear Test
  • Proof Load / Slip Test on Fabricated items such as clamps and assemblies
  • Load Test up to 800 kN
  • Peel Test
  • Residual Stress Measurement

Pull-out test on TMT Bars per IS 2770 for civil and structural buyers. NPCIL elevated-temperature tensile (approved February 2026) at 300, 500 and 800 degrees Celsius, with BS EN 10204 Type 3.2 certification.

Cryogenic and sub-zero impact. Charpy and Izod impact across a temperature range from plus 100 to minus 196 degrees Celsius, covering low-temperature toughness for cryogenic and LNG service, on 300, 400, and 750 Joule machines. Erichsen cupping test for sheet-metal formability.

An in-house machine shop prepares specimens to standard: lathes, CNC wire-cut, stress-free grinding, milling, and surface grinding, which keeps specimen preparation under the same roof and protects turnaround.

Linear thermal expansion and coefficient of thermal expansion on metals and ceramics per ASTM E228, ASTM E289, and ASTM E831.

Tensile and Bend Testing

A universal testing machine at TCR Engineering pulling a round tensile specimen to failure
Tensile testing to ASTM E8/E8M and IS 1608, on a calibrated universal testing machine.

A tensile test measures the resistance of a material to a static or slowly applied force. A machined specimen is placed in the testing machine and a load is applied. A strain gauge or extensometer is used to measure the elongation. The stress obtained at the highest applied force is known as Tensile Strength.

  • Tensile: yield strength at the prescribed plastic deformation, commonly 0.2 percent, and elongation to fracture, measured by strain gauge or extensometer.
  • Standards: ASTM E8, ASTM A370, ASTM B557, and the IS, BS and ISO equivalents.
  • Bend: relative ductility of sheet, strip, plate, bar and wire, and the soundness and toughness of metal after welding.
  • Compression: ability to withstand compressive loads, a measure of workability in forging and bulk deformation.
  • Flaring: ASTM A370, ASTM A513, ASTM B153, IS 2335 and IS 2501, with a 60 degree included-angle tool.
  • Flattening: ASTM A370, ASTM A513, ASTM B111, IS 2328 and IS 2501, on seamless and welded tube.

The Yield Strength is the stress at which a prescribed amount of plastic deformation (commonly 0.2%) is produced. Elongation describes the extent to which the specimen is stretched before fracture. Information regarding the strength, stiffness, and ductility of a material is obtained from a tensile test. Other variations of the tensile testing include Room Temperature, Low Temperature (IS 1608 Part 3), Elevated Temperature (ASTM E21, ISO 6892-2), Shear strength, Temperature and Humidity, Combined Tension and Compression, Through Thickness Tensile, Notched Tensile and Strain-Hardening exponent ‘n’ (ASTM E646, IS 15756) & Plastic-Strain Ratio ‘r’ (ASTM E517 & IS 11999) values.

Tensile test to fracture, with the stress-strain curve A round tensile specimen held in the grips of a universal testing machine. The crosshead rises, the gauge length extends, the mid-length section necks down and the specimen separates. Alongside, the engineering stress-strain curve is drawn through the elastic region, the 0.2 per cent proof stress, work hardening to the tensile strength, then the fall to fracture. L0 0 250 450 0 5 10 15 20 25 Engineering strain, % Engineering stress, MPa elastic 0.2% proof work hardening Rm necking fracture
Tension to fracture. The lower grip is fixed and the crosshead travels. Load rises elastically, holds at the yield plateau, work hardens to the tensile strength, then the section necks and separates cup and cone. Schematic: the ordinates are representative of a plain carbon-manganese structural steel (0.2 per cent proof 250 MPa, tensile strength 450 MPa, 25 per cent total elongation, 60 per cent reduction of area), not a TCR test result. Accredited tensile testing under NABL NABLT0726MH18640.

All tests at TCR Engineering Services are performed in line with the ASTM E8, ASTM A370, ASTM B557 and IS/BS/ISO Standards. TCR has the expertise to determine the mechanical properties of materials and resolve a wide variety of technical problems for the industry:

Bend Test

This procedure that determines the relative ductility of metal that is to be formed (usually sheet, strip, plate, bar & wire). It is also used to determine the soundness and toughness of metal (after welding, etc.) The specimen is usually bent over a specified diameter mandrel. The four general types of bends are free bend, guided bend, semi-guided bend & wrap-around bend, as per ASTM E290, E190, A370 and other IS, BS, ISO standards.

Compression Test

This is a method for assessing the ability of a material to withstand compressive loads. The test is commonly used as a simple measure of the metal workability, particularly in forging and similar bulk deformation processes. Engine mounts, bolster springs, cast products, and similar components are tested to determine load versus displacement

Pipe/Tube Flaring Test (ASTM A370, ASTM A513, ASTM B153, IS 2335, IS 2501)

This procedure tests the ability of a section of a tube, approximately 4" in length to flare (with a tool having a 60° included angle). This is done through the tube as the mouth of the flare expands to 15% of the inside diameter without cracking or indicating any flaws

Pipe/Tube Flattening Test (ASTM A370, ASTM A513, ASTM B111, IS 2328, IS 2501)

A seamless Pipe/Tube sample, 4" - 6" in length is flattened between parallel plates & welded Pipe/Tube with the weld at 90° to the direction of applied force until opposite walls of the tubing meet. Applications for this test along with the flaring test, include situations where round tubing is to be formed into other shapes

Impact Testing

A Charpy pendulum impact tester at TCR Engineering with a notched specimen in the anvil
Charpy V-notch impact testing to ASTM E23, with sub-zero conditioning where the specification calls for it.

The impact test (ASTM E23, BS EN 10045, ISO 148-1 and IS 1757, IS 1598) is a method for evaluating the toughness and notch sensitivity of engineering materials. It is usually used to understand the energy required by material to deformation before fracture i.e. the toughness of metals but similar tests are used for polymers, ceramics, and composites.

  • Standards: ASTM E23, BS EN 10045, ISO 148-1, IS 1757 and IS 1598.
  • Charpy: 10 mm by 10 mm full-size section with a V or U notch, sub-size where thickness is restricted.
  • Izod: square or round section with one, two or three notches, clamped vertically with the notch facing the hammer.
  • Keyhole: a keyhole-shaped notch, used frequently by the steel casting industry.
  • Sectors served: oil and gas, aerospace, power generation, automotive and nuclear.

Metal industry sectors include Oil and Gas, Aerospace, Power Generation, Automotive, and Nuclear.

The notched test specimen is broken by the impact of a heavy pendulum or hammer falling at a predetermined velocity through a fixed distance. The test measures the energy absorbed by the fractured specimen.

Charpy Impact Test

A test specimen is machined to a 10mm x 10mm (full size) cross-section, with either a "V" or "U" notch. Sub-size specimens are used where the material thickness is restricted. Specimens can be tested down to cryogenic temperatures

IZOD Impact Test

The test specimen is machined to a square or round section, with either one, two or three notches. The specimen is clamped vertically on the anvil with the notch facing the hammer.

Keyhole Impact Test

The steel casting industry uses this type of specimen frequently. The notch is machined to look like a keyhole. It is tested in the same manner as the "V" and "U" notch.

Hardness Testing

Hardness Testing measures a material’s strength by determining resistance to indentation/penetration by material surface. The hardness test is extremely useful in material selection because it provides a hardness value, which indicates how easily a material can be machined and how well the material will wear.

  • Brinell: ASTM E10, IS 1500-1, ISO 6506-1, with loads usually between 500 kg and 3,000 kg held for 10 to 30 seconds.
  • Vickers macro and Knoop: ASTM E92, ISO 6507-1, IS 1501-1; the Knoop rhombohedral indenter suits narrow specimens.
  • Rockwell: ASTM E18, ISO 6508-1, IS 1586-1, reading the depth difference between two loads.
  • Vickers micro: ASTM E384, BS EN 1043-2, ISO 6507-1, IS 1501-1.
  • Portable: ASTM E110, rebound-type digital, for large objects and in-situ work where cutting is not possible.

It is defined as the resistance to indentation and it is determined by measuring the permanent depth of the indentation. Simply put, when using a fixed force (load) and a given indenter, the smaller the indentation, the harder the material.

Brinell, ASTM E10, IS 1500-1, ISO 6506-1 Standard

This is a simple indentation test for determining the hardness of a wide variety of materials. The test consists of applying a prescribed load, usually between 500 kg and 3000 kg, for a specified time (10-30 seconds), using a 5 or 10mm diameter tungsten carbide ball on the flat surface of a metal sample

Vickers (Macro indentation) & Knoop hardness ASTM E92, ISO 6507-1 and IS 1501-1 Standard

The Knoop indenter has a polished rhombohedral shape with an included longitudinal angle of 172° 30´ and an included transverse angle of 130° 0´. The narrowness of the indenter makes it ideal for testing specimens with steep hardness gradients and coatings. Knoop is a better choice for hardness testing of hard and brittle materials

Rockwell, ASTM E18, ISO 6508-1 & IS 1586-1 Standard

This test differs from the Brinell test in the shape of the indenter and in the manner that the number is determined. The Rockwell number represents the difference in depth penetration between two loads. There are two types of Rockwell: Rockwell and Superficial Rockwell. The difference between the two is in the minor and major loads applied to the specimen. The indenter used may be a diamond cone or a hardened ball, depending principally on the characteristics of the material being tested

Vickers (Micro indentation) hardness, ASTM E384, BS EN 1043-2, ISO 6507-1 &  IS 1501-1 Standard

A micro indentation is made on the surface of a metal sample. The hardness number is based on the measurements of the indent formed on the surface of the test specimen

Portable Hardness, ASTM E110 and IS / BS Standard

Facility for Portable hardness testing using rebound-type digital hardness tester is available for carrying out hardness testing at the site. This is particularly useful for large objects and In-situ, where cutting the sample is not possible

Nick Break and Weldability

Nick break testing is another simple process that lends itself to learning welding (API 1104 specification), due to its speed and very low cost. It is also used in production runs, where quality is monitored at intervals throughout production. The principle behind it is to take a sample piece, partially cut through it and then break the remainder off.

  • Nick break: a three-point bend fractures the sample through the weld metal so the fracture surface can be read for lack of fusion, porosity and slag inclusions, per API 1104.
  • Weldability: chemical analysis and mechanical testing with metallography, supported by weld engineering recommendations.
  • Weld Bead Bend Test: SEP 1390, checking crack-arrest behaviour on a grooved test plate under bending stress.
  • Standards: ASTM E8/E8M-22 room-temperature tension, ASTM E21 elevated-temperature tension, ASTM E23 Charpy, ASTM E18 Rockwell, ASTM E10 Brinell, ASTM E92 and E384 Vickers, ASTM E290 bend.
  • Representative engagement: Larsen and Toubro Defence for VSSC-ISRO, mechanical, chemical and metallurgical qualification of Chandrayaan-3 rocket motor casing hardware.

This allows one to ‘see inside the weld’. Various defects and faults can be easily seen by visual inspection including lack of fusion, porosity, slag inclusions etc.

Nick Break

The principle of this test is to break the sample through the weld metal in order to examine the fractured surface. Applying a three-point bend load induces the fracture. The fractured surface is then examined, and the type and location of any weld defect are reported.

Weldability

The procedure consists of performing a chemical analysis and/or mechanical tests with metallography to provide data for the determination of weldability. Weld Engineering provides additional support and recommendations for material usage. If necessary, trial welds can be fully tested and examined to provide final data

Weld Bead Bend Test (WBBT) as per SEP 1390 standard

In the weld Bead Bend Test, the crack arrest behaviour of a material shall be checked. For this purpose, welding bead shall be laid on grooved test plate. Then test plate shall be subjected to bending stress. in doing this, it shall be checked if an incipient crack occurring in the weld metal is arrested by heat affected zone (HAZ) or the base metal when bending without interruption

Representative engagement: Larsen and Toubro Defence (Integrated Core) for VSSC-ISRO, mechanical, chemical, and metallurgical qualification of rocket motor casing hardware for Chandrayaan-3 moon mission, returned with no non-conformity observed (2023).

Standards: ASTM E8/E8M-22 (room temperature tension), ASTM E21 (elevated-temperature tension), ASTM E23 (Charpy impact), ASTM E18 (Rockwell), ASTM E10 (Brinell), ASTM E92 and ASTM E384 (Vickers), ASTM E290 (bend), ASTM A370 (steel products), ASTM B557 and ASTM B565 (aluminium and copper alloy tension). ISO 6892, ISO 148, ISO 6506, ISO 6507, ISO 7438. EN 10002, EN 10045. IS 1608, IS 1499, IS 1586, IS 1500, IS 10570. Welder qualification tests per ASME Section IX 2023 Edition.

Component Testing and Fasteners

Component testing covers bolts, nuts, studs, fasteners, springs, washers, and finished machined parts. Proof load testing per ASTM F606 and IS 1367. Stress rupture and wedge tensile. Hydrogen embrittlement screening per ASTM F1624, ASTM F519, and API 20E.

  • Components: bolts, nuts, studs, fasteners, springs, washers and finished machined parts.
  • Proof load: ASTM F606 and F606M, and IS 1367 for threaded steel fasteners.
  • Tensile modes: wedge tensile under the head, and axial tension between head and nut.
  • Hydrogen embrittlement: ASTM F1624, ASTM F519 and API 20E.
  • High-strength friction grip bolts: IS 3757.
  • Aerospace fasteners: ASTM F606M, NAS 1351 and MS 21250, under the heat-treatment verification umbrella.
  • Dynamic loading: impact, vibration, shock, fatigue and high strain rate, on specimens, prototypes and assemblies.

High-strength friction grip (HSFG) bolt testing per IS 3757. Aerospace fastener qualification under the heat-treatment verification umbrella (ASTM F606M, NAS 1351, MS 21250).

Testing components take on many forms depending on the application and the conditions present in service. TCR routinely tests components under fatigue, vibration, shock, pressure, high and low temperatures, humidity, solar, corrosion, impact, hydrostatic pressure and altitude conditions. Test capacity can vary from small (several inches in size) to large (vehicle size). Test fixtures can be made in-house via 3D drawings or FE models.

Frequently tested components include automotive parts and assemblies (i.e. axles, engine cradles, transmission shafts, shock absorbers, doors, locking enclosures, connecting rods as engine mounts and crankshafts) electronic displays, communication devices, packaged products, pressure vessels, pipes, and building products such as fascia and structural products. Aerospace components, in particular, electronic devices and landing gear assemblies are also tested.

Dynamic Loading

Dynamic loading takes on many forms like impact, vibration, shock, fatigue and high strain rate to name a few. TCR is capable of performing many forms of dynamic tests on specimens, prototypes, and varied assemblies

Fasteners - Wedge, Axial, Proof Load

Fasteners of all sizes used in every application are critical to the integrity of structures and finished components. In addition to dimensional, chemical composition and metallurgical properties, Mechanical Testing is of paramount importance in determining compliance with specifications and fitness for different purposes

Wedge Tensile

The wedge tensile strength of a hex or square-head fastener, socket-head cap screw or stud is the tensile load that the product is capable of sustaining when stressed with a wedge under the head. The purpose of this test is to obtain the tensile strength and to demonstrate the head quality and ductility of the product

Axial

The Axial tension of fasteners is tested in a holder with a load axially applied between the head and a nut, or in a suitable fixture

Proof Load

Proof Load testing of a nut is assembled on a hardened, threaded mandrel or a test bolt, using the tension or compression method. A specified proof load is applied on the nut against the nut. The nut should resist this load without stripping or rupturing and should be removable from the test bolt or mandrel by hand after the load is released. Proof load testing of Bolt/Stud is measure in terms of permanent extension in length after application of specified proof load

Standards: ASTM F606 and F606M (mechanical testing of fasteners), IS 1367 (threaded steel fasteners), ASTM F1624, ASTM F519, and API 20E (hydrogen embrittlement), IS 3757 (high-strength friction-grip bolts), NAS 1351 and MS 21250 (aerospace fasteners).

Documents

Download the reference documents for this page. Every file is hosted on this domain and is also listed in the site document library.

  • Qualification of the Elevated-Temperature Tensile Facility, endorsed by NPCIL

    TCR's qualification record for tensile testing at elevated temperature. Samples were tested at 300, 500 and 800 degrees Celsius, and three officers of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited endorsed the same document, qualifying the set-up for tensile testing of materials up to 800 degrees Celsius. TCR letter dated 6 December 2013; the document is TCR's, the qualification is NPCIL's.

    PDF (528 KB)

Related insights

6 published insights on this site bear directly on Mechanical Testing. They are below; the full index carries all 157 Materials Testing insights.

Read all 157 Materials Testing insights →All insights →

Frequently asked questions

Which standards govern tensile testing at TCR Engineering?

Room-temperature tensile testing runs per ASTM E8/E8M, with ASTM A370 for steel products and ASTM B557 for aluminium and copper alloys. Elevated-temperature tensile runs per ASTM E21 and ISO 6892-2 up to 1,100 degrees Celsius, and low-temperature tensile per IS 1608 Part 3. Reports are issued under NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation (NABLT0726MH18640).

Can TCR test impact properties at sub-zero and cryogenic temperatures?

Yes. Charpy and Izod impact testing per ASTM E23, ISO 148-1 and IS 1757 runs across plus 100 to minus 196 degrees Celsius on 300, 400 and 750 Joule machines, covering low-temperature toughness requirements for cryogenic and LNG service. Sub-size specimens are machined where material thickness is restricted.

Which hardness scales does TCR cover?

Brinell per ASTM E10, Rockwell and Superficial Rockwell per ASTM E18, Vickers macro and micro indentation per ASTM E92 and ASTM E384, and Knoop hardness, with corresponding IS and ISO methods. Rebound-type portable hardness testing per ASTM E110 is available at site for large objects that cannot be sectioned.

Does TCR test fasteners and finished components?

Yes. Proof load, wedge tensile and axial testing of bolts, nuts and studs runs per ASTM F606, F606M and IS 1367, hydrogen embrittlement screening per ASTM F1624, ASTM F519 and API 20E, and HSFG bolts per IS 3757. Proof load testing on nuts extends up to 40,000 kg.

Does TCR machine test specimens in-house?

Yes. An in-house machine shop with lathes, CNC wire-cut, milling, surface grinding and stress-free grinding prepares specimens to standard under the same roof, protecting turnaround. A full set of extensometers from 25 mm to 300 mm gauge length supports tensile work across specimen geometries.

Put a number on your material's strength, to ASTM and ISO.

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