ASTM A931-18 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM A931-18 — Standard Test Method for Tension Testing of Wire Ropes and Strand. This standard specifies the procedures for room-temperature tension testing of wire ropes and strand to determine measured breaking force, yield strength, elongation, and modulus of elasticity, and provides guidance on units, specimen handling, and test limitations.

Abstract

ASTM A931-18 defines a standard tensile test method for wire ropes and strand conducted at ambient temperature to measure key mechanical properties (breaking force, yield strength, elongation, and modulus of elasticity). The standard emphasizes the use of inch‑pound units as the normative system, provides SI conversions for information, and includes safety notes and procedural details to ensure repeatable test results for quality control and specification compliance.

General information

• Status: Active.
• Publication date: September 1, 2018.
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 77.140.65 — Steel wire, wire ropes and link chains.
• Edition / version: A931-18 (designation A931, year 2018).
• Number of pages: 4.

Scope

This test method covers tensile testing of wire ropes and strand at room temperature to determine measured breaking force, yield strength, elongation, and modulus of elasticity. It applies to new wire rope and strand specimens prepared and gripped in accordance with the procedures described in the standard. The methods are not intended for uses outside the stated mechanical property measurements; users are responsible for implementing appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices.

Key topics and requirements

• Purpose: determination of breaking force, yield strength, elongation, and tangent or secant modulus for wire rope and strand specimens.
• Specimen preparation: guidance on selecting and preparing representative specimens from wire rope or strand, including end finish and length requirements.
• Grip and fixturing: specified or recommended practices for gripping sockets, clamps, or fixtures appropriate for rope and strand constructions to avoid premature failure at the grips.
• Test conditions: performance at room temperature with controlled crosshead or actuator rates as specified.
• Units and reporting: inch‑pound units are normative; SI conversions may be provided for information only. Required test result reporting includes measured breaking force, yield point(s), elongation at specified loads, and modulus calculations.
• Calibration and instrumentation: requirements for load-measuring devices, extensometry or displacement measurement, and equipment calibration traceable to recognized standards.
• Safety and limitations: notes on hazards of tensile failure of wire rope (stored energy, flying fragments) and the responsibility of users to implement safety procedures.

Typical use and users

Used by wire rope and strand manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, quality control and inspection personnel, design and material engineers, procurement and specification writers, and regulatory or certification bodies that require standardized tensile test data for acceptance, comparison, or design validation of wire rope products.

Related standards

Standards commonly referenced in conjunction with A931-18 include ASTM E8 (tension testing of metallic materials), ISO 17558 (specification for steel wire ropes — socketing procedures), ASTM A1023/A1023M (specification for carbon steel wire ropes for general purposes), and earlier editions of A931 (for example A931-08(2013)). Other rope-, socket-, and specification-related ASTM and ISO documents may be referenced depending on application.

Keywords

ASTM A931-18, tension testing, wire rope, strand, breaking force, yield strength, elongation, modulus of elasticity, tensile test, grips, calibration, room temperature, ICS 77.140.65.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM A931-18 is a standard test method that specifies how to perform room-temperature tensile tests on wire ropes and strand to measure breaking force, yield strength, elongation, and modulus of elasticity.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen selection and preparation, gripping/fixturing practices, test conditions and rates, measurement and reporting of tensile properties, unit conventions (inch‑pound normative), calibration expectations, and safety notes for conducting tension tests on wire ropes and strand.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, testing laboratories, quality/inspection staff, design engineers, procurement/specification authors, and certification or regulatory bodies involved with wire rope products.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2018 edition (A931-18) is the current edition published September 1, 2018; it superseded earlier editions such as A931-08(2013). Users should check with ASTM or their standards subscription service for any amendments or later revisions after 2018.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: A931 is part of ASTM Committee A01 (Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys) publications addressing wire, wire rope, and related test methods and specifications; it is often used alongside related ASTM and ISO documents covering rope specification, socketing procedures, and metallic tension testing practices.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Wire rope, strand, tension testing, breaking force, yield strength, elongation, modulus of elasticity, tensile test, grips, ASTM A931-18.