Analysis of elongation at break

Elongation at break analysis measures a material's ability to deform before breaking under tensile stress. This parameter is essential for evaluating the flexibility, ductility, and mechanical strength of flexible or semi-rigid materials. This service is particularly useful in the materials, polymer, packaging film, elastomer, composite, and technical product sectors, where mechanical stresses are common.

Understanding elongation at break

Elongation at break represents the percentage of extension a material can withstand before its structure fails. It is a key indicator for characterizing a material's mechanical strength, flexibility, or ability to absorb deformation without cracking or breaking. Materials with high elongation at break are suitable for applications requiring high elasticity or resistance to repeated stresses. Conversely, low elongation can indicate stiffness, brittleness, or premature aging.

This parameter is involved in the dimensioning of parts, the validation of polymer formulations, the selection of materials for packaging, and the evaluation of the durability of technical materials subjected to bending or tension.

Analytical methods and associated standards

The tensile test, performed according to ISO 527, is the reference method for measuring elongation at break. During the test, a standardized specimen is subjected to a tensile force until it breaks. The measuring system records the applied force and the corresponding elongation, allowing for the acquisition of precise values ​​for elongation, tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity.

Depending on the nature of the material, the analysis can be performed on plastic films, elastomer strips, extruded parts, flexible materials, engineering polymers, or thin composites. Controlled temperature or humidity conditions can also be used to evaluate the material's behavior in specific environments.

Industrial applications

Elongation at break is a key criterion in many industrial contexts. In plastic packaging, it assesses the resistance of films during packaging. In the plastics industry, it helps optimize formulations, identify non-conforming batches, and verify mechanical stability over time. In the field of elastomers, it allows for quality control of seals, membranes, or parts subjected to repeated bending. Manufacturers of technical materials use this test to validate specifications, certify their products, or compare different formulations.

The matrices concerned include in particular: plastic films, tapes, elastomers, flexible polymers, technical foams, composite materials, synthetic fibers or any product presented in the form of a standardizable test specimen.

YesWeLab Support

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of specialized laboratories in mechanical testing, materials characterization, and polymer analysis, selected for their technical expertise and compliance with ISO 17025 and COFRAC standards. Through our digital platform, manufacturers can manage all their analysis requests, track their samples, and communicate with our scientific team. For each project, we identify the most suitable method, ensure the implementation of test parameters, and provide support for interpreting the results to meet your technical, regulatory, or production constraints.

Since 2020, manufacturers, processors, design offices and packaging companies have trusted us to carry out their mechanical tests and quality control of their materials.

Other analyses from the YesWeLab catalogue

• Tensile strength measurement
• Tear strength analysis
• SEM observation and morphological analysis
• Characterization of polymers and flexible materials