Q. What is the Best Way to Grip Thin-walled Steel Tubes for Tension Testing?

A. For testing most tubular specimens, you should use vee-serrated grip jaws. They hold the specimen securely and the vee face ensures that the specimen is centered. However, the grip forces can deform thin-walled tubes. You should manufacture close-fitting mandrels with a tapered end to insert into the tube ends before gripping the tube. The mandrel will ensure the tube cross-section does not deform, and the tapered ends will accommodate any necking of the tube during testing.