How to Perform ASTM D412 Elastomer Tensile Strength Testing

Recommended Equipment

Equipment Notes

MTESTQuattro Controller and Software

MTESTQuattro® is a powerful materials testing software and controller platform designed for universal testing machines used in ASTM D412 rubber and elastomer tensile testing. Compatible with both electromechanical and servo-hydraulic testing systems, MTESTQuattro enables accurate and repeatable tensile testing according to ASTM and ISO standards. The software supports tensile, compression, creep, relaxation, peel, tear, flexural, and fatigue testing applications while allowing users to create and store ASTM D412-compatible test methods and automated test reports. Real-time data acquisition and stress-strain curve generation make it easy to evaluate tensile strength, elongation, modulus, and other key elastomer material properties.

MTESTQuattro supports load, crosshead position, axial strain, transverse strain, and auxiliary input channels, making it compatible with extensometers, load cells, and both contact and non-contact strain measurement systems. Integrated machine control features, including automatic return positioning (“go home”), improve testing efficiency and repeatability for rubber tensile testing laboratories.

Pneumatic Grips

Pneumatic grips are commonly recommended for ASTM D412 tensile testing of rubber, elastomers, and thermoplastic elastomers because they provide constant clamping force and help minimize specimen slippage during testing. Available in wedge and vise-style configurations, pneumatic tensile grips support rapid specimen changes while maintaining accurate axial alignment throughout the test.

Unlike manual grips, pneumatic grips maintain consistent gripping pressure as the elastomer specimen stretches, improving tensile strength and elongation measurement accuracy. This is especially important when testing soft rubber materials, thin specimens, films, and high-elongation elastomers that may otherwise slip or fail near the grip faces.
Pneumatic grips are also ideal for environmental chamber testing because specimens can be installed quickly while minimizing chamber temperature loss. Compared to hydraulic grips, pneumatic systems are cleaner, faster to operate, and require less maintenance because they use compressed air rather than hydraulic fluid.
Additional ASTM D412 grip options include self-tightening roller grips and wedge grips depending on specimen geometry and elongation requirements.

Long Travel Extensometer

ASTM D412 elastomer tensile testing often requires long-travel extensometers capable of accurately measuring large specimen elongations during rubber tensile testing. ADMET long-travel extensometers are designed specifically for high-elongation materials and are available with travel ranges up to 1,100 mm (43.3 in).
Axial extensometers measure strain directly from the specimen by tracking displacement as tensile load is applied. This allows accurate calculation of stress-strain behavior, tensile modulus, elongation, and other critical elastomer material properties required for ASTM D412 reporting.

ADMET EX-700CT and EX-1100CT extensometers feature counterbalanced clamp designs that move freely with the specimen to minimize measurement influence during testing. Adjustable gauge lengths from 20 mm to 80 mm allow compatibility with a wide range of ASTM D412 rubber specimen geometries and elastomer applications.
For elevated-temperature or low-temperature tensile testing, non-contact video extensometers are also available for strain measurement through an environmental chamber window.

Environmental Chamber

Many ASTM D412 rubber and elastomer tensile tests require controlled temperature conditions to accurately evaluate material behavior. Environmental chambers allow universal testing machines to perform tensile testing at elevated or sub-ambient temperatures while maintaining stable environmental conditions throughout the test. ADMET environmental chambers support ASTM D412 testing from -80°C to +350°C and are available in both standard and custom configurations. Chambers integrate directly with MTESTQuattro® software and include independent temperature controllers for precise thermal management during elastomer tensile testing.

Specialized grips, fixtures, extensometers, and non-contact strain measurement systems are available for high-temperature and low-temperature testing applications. Heated multi-layer viewing windows help reduce icing and condensation during low-temperature testing while maintaining visibility for video extensometers and specimen monitoring.
Environmental chamber testing is commonly used for thermoplastic elastomers, vulcanized rubber, seals, gaskets, biomedical elastomers, automotive materials, and aerospace rubber components.

Testing Procedure