4.1 Tension tests provide information on the strength and ductility of materials under uniaxial tensile stresses. This information may be useful in comparisons of materials, alloy development, quality control, and design under certain circumstances.

4.2 The results of tension tests of specimens machined to standardized dimensions from selected portions of a part or material may not totally represent the strength and ductility properties of the entire end product or its in-service behavior in different environments.

4.3 These test methods are considered satisfactory for acceptance testing of commercial shipments and have been used extensively in the trade for this purpose.

1.1 These test methods cover the tension testing of wrought and cast aluminum- and magnesium-alloy products, with the exception of aluminum foil,2 and are derived from Test Methods E8, which cover the tension testing of all metallic materials.

1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Note 1: Foil is sheet metal less than 0.0079 in. thick. There is an overlap in the thickness range 0.006 to 0.0079 in. defined for foil and sheet. Sheet products in this thickness range are supplied to sheet product specifications and foil products in this thickness range are supplied to foil product specifications. Exceptions to the provisions of these test methods may need to be made in individual specifications or test methods for a particular material.

Note 2: A complete metric companion to Test Methods B557 has been developed—Test Methods B557M; therefore, no metric equivalents are presented in these test methods.