METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING HIGHWAY MATERIALS 113 
5. The specimen blank shall be cut from the material to be tested, having its 
length in such direction relative to the material as may be specified. The speci- 
men blank shall conform to the dimensions shown in Table 9. Blanks cut with 
a torch shall not be used unless all metal affected by such cutting is removed 
by machining. 
Table 9. — Dimensions for specimen blanks 
Method of cutting long edge? of blank 
Nominal thickness of material 
Minimum 
width of 
blank 
Inches 
Sheared Up to Y%, inclusive 
Sheared Over l i to %. inclusive 
Sawed * Up to %. inclusive 
Inches 
* Or otherwise machined without severely straining the metal 
OS ~>K- 
k- 2%-" M in. in Grips 
Jz Min. between Grips >< '2g Min. in Grips 
- Gage Length \ 
K-- 2" ±0.005""'^ 
s>i - 
w+ 0.003" to 0.005" 
(See Note) 
-p^\ 
\ 
,v 
=0.500" i 0.010" iTt" 
n'", A . |/\ % w+ 0.003 "to 0.005' 
Red Jed Section ' -^,u S 0.5h3 
- " 8" Min. . — ->i 
'/ = Thickness gf Material 
Note •■ Gradual Taper from Ends of Reduced Section to Middle. 
All Machining Dimensions are Shown below and Testing Dimensions above Specimen. 
Fig 50. — Standard tension tost specimen for thin sheet metals 
6. Figure 50 shows the form of the finished specimen recommended for thin 
sheet metals. The reduced section of the specimen shall be machined in such 
a manner as to avoid leaving severe machining strains in the material. It is 
Radius not less l<- 
thanf. | 
M 
Parallel Section I 
? i'tc.oi 
U ?"- Ji 
Gage Length 
for Elongation 
after Fracture 
Note ■- The Gage Length, 
Parallel Section, and 
Fillets shall be as 
Shown, but the Ends 
may be of any Shape 
to fit the Ho/ders of 
the Testing Machine 
in such a Way that the 
load shall be axial. 
Fig. 51. — Standard 2-inch tension test specimen 
essential that the reduced section and the ends of the specimen be symmetrical 
with respect to the longitudinal axis of the specimen. 57 
In Pignre 50 the 2-inch gauge length should be laid off with a tolerance in 
length of ±0.005 inch. 
/For all specimens for flat metallic materials, both for thin sheet and for thick plate, 
it is important to so machine the specimen as to avoid the conditions shown in Figure 49. 
104022°— 28 8 
