ASTM B557 Tensile Testing Services for Aluminum & Magnesium Alloys

ASTM B557 is a standard test method that covers the tension testing of wrought and cast aluminum- and magnesium-alloy products, excluding aluminum foil. The standard is based on the use of imperial units.

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ASTM B557 Tensile Testing Services for Aluminum & Magnesium Alloys

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Overview
Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Test Process
Specifications
Instrumentation
Results and Deliverables

Overview

ASTM B557 describes the standard test methods for conducting tension tests on wrought and cast aluminum-and magnesium-alloy products. Tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation are key mechanical properties used in material characterization and quality control.

This widely used standard underpins manufacturing, engineering design, and acceptance testing, and provides reliable data for material selection, performance verification, and conformance of aluminum and magnesium alloys across various industries.

Scope, Applications, and Benefits

Scope

ASTM B557 outlines procedures for determining the tensile properties of aluminum and magnesium alloys subjected to uniaxial tensile loading.
It evaluates:

Yield strength
Ultimate tensile strength
Elongation and ductility

The standard is commonly used for acceptance testing of commercial shipments, quality control, and alloy development.

Applications

Quality control of aluminum and magnesium alloy products
Material comparison and alloy development
Verification of mechanical properties for design purposes
Acceptance testing for commercial and aerospace components
Performance evaluation of wrought and cast alloys

Benefits

Provides accurate and repeatable tensile property data
Supports material selection and product design decisions
Ensures consistency and quality in alloy production
Enables compliance with material specifications
Facilitates comparison between different alloy grades

Test Process

Specimen Preparation

Prepare rectangular, round, or pin-loaded specimens to standard dimensions; measure cross-sectional area and mark gauge length.

Test Setup

Secure the specimen in tensile grips and attach a clip-on extensometer to measure strain over the gauge length.

Load Application

Apply tensile load at a controlled rate in accordance with standard limits until yield and tensile strength are reached.

Fracture & Data Collection

Remove the extensometer before fracture, continue loading to failure, and measure elongation between gauge marks after fracture.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Details
Test Type	Uniaxial tensile testing
Applicable Materials	Wrought and cast aluminum and magnesium alloys
Specimen Forms	Rectangular, round, or pin-loaded
Measured Properties	Yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation

Instrumentation Used for Testing

Universal testing machine with calibrated load cell
Tensile grips suitable for aluminum and magnesium alloys
Clip-on extensometer for strain measurement
Precision micrometers or calipers for specimen measurement
Data acquisition and control software

Results and Deliverables

Yield strength values
Ultimate tensile strength values
Elongation at fracture
Stress–strain curves
Compliance assessment for material specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

ASTM B557 is the testing standard for tensile requirements of wrought and cast aluminum and magnesium-alloy products, except aluminum foil. Testing requirements for aluminum foil are specified in test method E345. This method aims to assess the tensile properties of materials through uniaxial tensile stresses in terms of strength and ductility.

When appropriate limits are attained, the test speed should be half the yield strength or a quarter of the tensile strength. After removing the extensometer, the speed can be increased but should not exceed 0.5 inches of reduced section per minute.

It only applies to some specimen sizes and does not determine fatigue and creep, among other mechanical properties. It only focuses on tensile strength and elongation at break.

It applies to aluminum and magnesium alloy products, which may be wrought or cast but do not include aluminum foil. Instead, aluminum foil uses a different testing method (ASTM E345).