ASTM D1708 Micro Tensile

The ASTM D1708 test method is used for Tensile Testing of Plastics using Microtensile Specimens. The data obtained is used for quality control and acceptance or rejection of material under specifications. Read more about ASTM D1708 Micro Tensile below.

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

Overview

ASTM D1708 is a standardised test procedure for plastics, specifically measuring the force required to pull a small dog-bone specimen until it breaks and the elongation that occurs before break.

This test procedure is intended for small or rare samples, such as moulded plaques or thin sections, where you can’t form a larger tensile specimen. It’s done under controlled conditions to determine the tensile strength and elongation of the material.

Scope, Applications, and Benefits

Scope

ASTM D1708 applies to micro tensile plastic specimens that are either die-cut, machined, or moulded. The test is conducted in a controlled environment with controlled temperature and humidity, and can be performed at ambient, elevated, or reduced temperatures to determine the material’s response.

The test evaluates:

– Tensile strength
– Elongation properties
– Response to specified test speeds
– Response to controlled environmental conditions

Applications

Material specification and qualification
Quality control of plastic components
Evaluation of molded parts
Testing of thin polymer sections
Product development and R&D
Failure analysis
Comparison of plastic material grades
Components designed to withstand application forces

Benefits

Requires small sample size
Suitable for limited or thin materials
Provides comparative tensile data
Determines elongation at yield and break
Supports product design validation
Enables temperature-dependent testing

Test Process

Specimen Preparation & Conditioning

Prepare die-cut, machined, or molded specimens and condition at specified temperature and humidity.

Mounting

Place specimen in the universal testing machine with defined grip separation.

Tensile Loading

Apply controlled tensile speed until failure (no extensometer used); perform thermal chamber testing if required.

Data Calculation

Determine tensile strength and elongation from load and extension data.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Details
Specimen Shape	Dog-bone
Overall Dimensions	38 mm × 15 mm
Gauge Area Dimensions	5 mm × 22 mm
Test Speed	As specified in material standard
Temperature Conditions	Ambient, elevated, or reduced (thermal chamber)

Instrumentation Used for Testing

Universal Testing Machine (UTM)
Microtensile grips
Thermal chamber (for elevated/reduced temperature testing)
Load cell
Data acquisition system
Environmental monitoring devices

Results and Deliverables

Tensile strength at yield
Tensile strength at break
Elongation at yield
Elongation at break
Percent elongation values
Stress–strain data
Comparative material performance report

Why Choose Infinita Lab for ASTM D1708?

Infinita Lab is a trusted USA-based testing laboratory offering ASTM D1708 testing services across an extensive network of accredited facilities across the USA.

Infinita Lab is built to serve the full spectrum of modern testing needs—across industries, materials, and methodologies. Our advanced equipment and expert professionals deliver highly accurate and prompt test results, helping businesses achieve quality compliance and product reliability.

Looking for a trusted partner to achieve your research goals? Schedule a meeting with us, send us a request, or call us at (888) 878-3090 to learn more about our services and how we can support you. Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

ASTM D1708 is a standard test method used to determine the tensile properties of plastics using small, micro-sized dog-bone specimens, especially when material availability is limited.

The method applies to rigid and semi-rigid plastics, including molded, extruded, or machined polymer specimens where only small sample sizes are available for testing.

Micro tensile testing is useful for evaluating small molded parts, research samples, thin sections, or localized material properties without requiring large standard specimens.

The test measures tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, yield strength, and complete stress–strain behavior under uniaxial loading.

Results depend on specimen preparation, alignment, gripping method, strain measurement accuracy, temperature, humidity, and loading rate during testing.