New Guide for Tensile testing of thermoplastic AM materials
1. Scope
To offer sufficient supplemental guidance to D638 and D695 for users to successfully perform valid and reproducible tensile test of filament and powder based thermoplastic AM.
Keywords
Non-metallic additive manufacturing (AM); polymer additive manufacturing (AM); material extrusion (MeX); allowables; mechanical properties; thermoplastic manufacturing; AM characterization; Powder Bed Fusion
Rationale
Reliable tensile test outcomes and data continue to be difficult to achieve in thermoplastic AM. Coupon geometries are hard to print or prone to defects. Part removal and pre-conditioning are not defined by polymer test methods. Reporting of AM-specific key process variables are not defined outside of individual process specifications. This guide will compliment proposed coupon updates to D638. The standard will include the requirements for part processing, coupon removal, post processing and test reporting to ensure reproducible results across part producers, machines and testing locations.
Users can consist of machine operators, machine and material OEMs, testing houses, ASTM sub-committee members, and certification regulators.
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Work Item Status
Date Initiated: 09-11-2025
Technical Contact: Karl Nelson