Micro Tensile Strength Test of Plastic per ASTM D638

I always like to open these posts with a joke or pun of some sort, but I couldn't come up with one for this video that wouldn't be a stretch, so I'll just get cracking.

The inherent simplicity of a tensile test - just stretch a material specimen - belies the actual complexity present in performing one carefully and repeatably. 

Today's video shows the care that must be taken to perform a tensile test according to industry standards - ASTM D638, in this case - and the stress/strain curve that results from a properly conducted test.

In case you were curious what this whole "ASTM" standard was about, check out this video about the ASTM organization.

Discover the Harrison Spinks' Wire Drawing Department

We draw wires in the ASM summer materials science camp, but nothing that we do in camp remotely approaches this level of professionalism.

In terms of drawing a wire, we're an introductory art student, and the Harrison Spinks folks are Picasso.

See, 'cause they can draw wires better than we can.

Get it...Picasso...because he's an artist...he did drawings.

In all seriousness, seeing the very clean, seemingly safe process shown above makes me appreciate the less careful process for a similar result shown below.

Why Japanese Iron Kettles Are So Expensive | So Expensive | Business Insider

Now that's just gorgeous.

I don't drink tea, so I have absolutely no need for one of these kettles...

...but I kinda want one.

They're so simple and so pretty.

The craft that goes into creating them is spectacular to watch, too.

How Sand Made From Crushed Glass Rebuilds Louisiana’s Shrinking Coast | World Wide Waste

I feel like I've posted about Glass Half Full before, but I can't find the post.

Maybe I've just meant to post about them because I think they're just about the coolest folks around.

I like to think of myself as a decently environmentally friendly person. I recycle and compost and all that, but I feel like an utter slacker compared to these folks.