Tensile testing is one type of physical testing that is performed on a test specimen to measure mechanical attributes, primarily to indicate whether it is fit for purpose. The specimen may be either a finished product (component or assembly) or a sample of raw material used to make a finished product. The tensile test places the specimen under controlled tension by pulling it apart or stretching it to a certain load, elongation, or a relevant event—often its destruction.
Applying tensile loads indicates much about performance in service when a product will be put under stress in use. Therefore, tensile testing is carried out to measure such functionalities as the operational effort on medical devices, the break resistance of welded connectors and fastenings, the strength of adhesive joints and seals, and the opening force of packaging flip-caps and pull-out stoppers.