What is primarily measured during a tensile test?

In a tensile test, the primary focus is to measure how a material responds to tension, which involves applying a load until the material ultimately fails. During this process, two critical parameters are observed: the load (or force) applied to the material and the corresponding extension (or strain) that occurs as a result. By analyzing the relationship between load and extension, engineers can determine key material properties such as yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and percent elongation, which are crucial for understanding the material's behavior under tensile forces.

This test is essential in engineering because it provides valuable insight into the material's mechanical properties, allowing for better design and material selection in various applications. Conditions such as fatigue resistance, thermal response, and chemical stability are not the primary objectives of tensile testing, even though they are important characteristics in their own right.