ABSTRACT
The range of applications of small specimen testing with specimen sizes in the 0.5–5.0 mm range for mechanical property characterization underpins its relevance to current technological issues and the associated challenges it presents to the measurement of stress and strain in small volumes. Small specimen mechanical testing has primarily evolved out of the needs of the nuclear industry to develop and characterize materials of fission and fusion reactor systems. The electric power industry, both fossil fired and nuclear, and the petrochemical industry have found extensive application of small specimen test technology for life assessment of their components. Miniature specimens can be prepared from the scooped sample and the same can be tested for determining the mechanical properties of the operating component. Small specimen testing is of great advantage during the development phase of a new material processing.
