Elongation at Break
Elongation at break (A5 / A10) is the percentage of elongation of a material before the midpoint fracture. It shows the ductility and indicates how much the material elongates before it breaks.
Physical-Chemical Mechanism of Action
Elongation at break (A5 / A10) measures the percentage by which a tensile specimen has elongated after the midpoint fracture. This value is calculated from the relative elongation of the gauge length to the original value.
Metallurgical Relevance & Risks in Welding
A high elongation at break indicates good ductility and toughness of the material. If the elongation at break is too low, the material can suddenly crack under loads, which is particularly dangerous in mechanically stressed components. A value that is too low can also be an indicator of inadequate weld quality or incorrect material selection.
Workshop Practice & Instructions
To measure the elongation at break (A5 / A10), a tensile specimen is pulled and the relative elongation value is calculated. For steel pipes or parts, a value of at least 20% should be achieved. For special applications, a higher or lower threshold may be required, depending on the material and load. If the elongation at break is insufficient, the welding parameters should be checked and adjusted if necessary.