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Use the switch located on the right side of the tensile testing machine next to the power cord to turn the machine on.
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Measure the width and thickness of your tensile samples at the center of the gage length to the nearest 0.1 mm with the calipers provided.
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Use the provided figure as a guide to mark the boundaries of the gage length on your sample with the Sharpie pen.
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Measure the distance between your marks to the nearest mm with the calipers.
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Start the Bluehill 3 Tensile Testing Software.
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The software will not initialize if the Instron Tensile Testing Machine is not switched on.
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On the main screen, select the "Test" icon to initialize a new test.
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On the next screen, select the "MATE 215 polymer tensile tests" method name
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After entering the correct specimen label, input the dimensions of each sample.
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Click next once you are finished entering dimensions for all three samples.
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Use the control panel on the front of the machine to adjust the crosshead distance. The jaws should be close enough to grip each end of the sample.
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Loosen the lower jaw by turning the clamp clockwise.
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Place the sample into the jaw such that the edge of the grip section is just above the edge of top of the jaw.
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Ensure that the sample is oriented vertically with the machine. Tighten the lower jaw by turning the clamp counter-clockwise "handtight."
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Do not tighten past 90degree turn (i.e., 1/4 of a full turn) or you may damage specimen.
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Repeat for the upper jaw. Adjust the crosshead if necessary.
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Do not tighten past 90desgree turn (1/4th of a full turn) once the grips have clamped down on the sample.
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Click the "Start" button to begin the tensile test.
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Wait for the machine to finish running the test.
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When the test is complete, remove the sample from the jaws by turning the clamps counter-clockwise.
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Press the "Return" button to reset the crosshead distance.
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Return to step 7 and repeat the process for the remaining samples.
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