The high axial-tensile strength and the low transverse-compressive strength of pultruded rod combine to present some unique problems in determining the tensile strength of this material with conventional test grips. The high transverse-compressive forces generated in the conventional method of gripping tend to crush the rod, thereby causing premature failure. In this test method, aluminum-alloy tabs contoured to the shape of the rod reduce the compressive forces imparted to the rod, thus overcoming the deleterious influence of conventional test grips.

Tensile properties are influenced by specimen preparation, strain rate, thermal history, and the environmental conditions at the time of testing. Consequently, where precise comparative results are desired, these factors must be carefully controlled.

Tensile properties provide useful data for many engineering design purposes. However, due to the high sensitivity of these properties to strain rate, temperature, and other environmental conditions, data obtained by this test method should not, by themselves, be considered for applications involving load-time scales or environmental conditions that differ widely from the test conditions. In cases where such dissimilarities are apparent, the sensitivities to strain rate, including impact and creep, as well as to environment, should be determined over a wide range of conditions as dictated by the anticipated service requirements.