GB/T 228.1-2021 is a Chinese recommended national test method for determining tensile properties of metallic materials at room temperature. It defines how a tensile test is set up, controlled, measured, and reported so results like yield-related values, tensile strength, and elongation are generated consistently.
If you need help matching the cited edition to your product specification, specimen type, or control method (strain-rate vs stress-rate), talk with our team before finalizing a test plan.
GB/T 228.1-2021 — Metallic materials—Tensile testing—Part 1: Method of test at room temperature
GB/T 228.1-2021 is used across metals manufacturing and QA/QC labs to standardize room-temperature tensile testing. It is commonly referenced by product standards and purchasing requirements when mechanical property certification is required.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard | GB/T 228.1-2021 |
| Chinese title | 金属材料 拉伸试验 第1部分: 室温试验方法 |
| Status | In force (recommended national standard) |
| Issue / effective dates | Issued 2021-12-31 / Effective 2022-07-01 |
| International alignment | Based on ISO 6892-1:2019 (MOD) |
| Replaces | GB/T 228.1-2010 |
Quick definition
Document type: Test method.
What it does: Defines how to run and report a room-temperature tensile test on metallic materials, including specimen measurement, equipment requirements, test rate/control options, and result calculation/reporting.
Where it fits: Incoming inspection, mill certification verification, supplier qualification, and R&D materials characterization.
What This Standard Covers
GB/T 228.1-2021 provides a complete framework for tensile testing of metallic materials at room temperature. It addresses key elements that affect result comparability, including specimen preparation/measurement conventions, test machine and extensometer expectations, test execution requirements, and how tensile properties are determined and rounded for reporting.
It also includes guidance related to test control approaches (commonly strain-rate control or stress-rate control) and how the chosen test conditions are represented in reporting.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Tensile results are highly sensitive to alignment, gripping, machine compliance, extensometer performance, and loading/control rates. GB/T 228.1-2021 is often used to reduce variability between labs by standardizing the measurement chain and the way key points (such as yield-related values and proof strengths) are determined from force-extension or stress-strain behavior.
For equipment selection and lab workflows, the biggest practical impact is usually how the test is controlled (by strain rate vs stress rate) and what level of strain measurement is required to support the specified properties.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
This method is used broadly for metallic materials when a room-temperature tensile test is required, including:
- Carbon steels, alloy steels, and stainless steels
- Aluminum alloys and other nonferrous alloys
- Plate, sheet, bar, rod, wire, and tubular products (when tensile specimens are taken from these forms)
- Manufacturing QA/QC and certification testing where tensile properties are part of acceptance criteria
Specific specimen geometry and sampling rules are frequently set by the applicable product standard; GB/T 228.1-2021 is then used to run the tensile test consistently.
Common Test or Verification Workflow
A typical GB/T 228.1-2021 workflow includes:
- Selecting specimen type and dimensions (often driven by a product specification)
- Measuring initial cross-sectional area and gauge length before testing
- Setting up the tensile test machine load chain and grips, then establishing the force zero
- Applying axial tensile loading with an appropriate control method and rate
- Using strain measurement (e.g., extensometer) when properties based on extension are required
- Determining reported tensile properties and documenting the test conditions and results in a test report
Practical caution: If proof strength (e.g., Rp-type values) or extension-based values are required, the strain measurement setup and the control mode become especially important for repeatability.
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
GB/T 228.1-2021 typically points to a universal testing machine (UTM) configured for metallic tensile testing, plus a measurement and gripping setup appropriate to the specimen and the required properties.
Common equipment: Servo-hydraulic or electromechanical UTM, force measurement system within the calibrated range used for the test, metallic tensile grips (selected to match specimen form), and an extensometer when required by the reported properties.
Grips and alignment: The gripping system should hold the specimen securely while maintaining axial loading and minimizing bending. Selecting the correct grip style (for example, wedge-type or threaded gripping arrangements) is usually driven by specimen geometry and strength level.
Extensometry and controls: When elongation or proof-strength determination is required, the extensometer (and its gauge length/accuracy) and the controller capability for strain-rate-based testing can drive configuration choices.
If you are configuring a UTM for metals tensile work under GB/T 228.1-2021 (capacity, grips, extensometer type, and control package), you can request a detailed quote for a system matched to your specimen range and reporting requirements.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
GB/T indicates a recommended (not mandatory) Chinese national standard.
228.1 identifies the tensile testing standard series and Part 1, which is the room-temperature method.
-2021 is the year of issue for this edition. Test setup details, control modes, and reporting expectations can change between editions, so purchase specifications and customer documents should be checked for the exact year cited.
Revision sensitivity: When a drawing, purchase order, or product specification cites GB/T 228.1-2010 vs GB/T 228.1-2021, confirm which edition governs the test method and reporting format.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks
GB/T 228.1-2021 is aligned with ISO 6892-1 (room-temperature tensile testing of metallic materials) and is commonly used alongside standards that address sampling, machine verification/calibration, and computerized data acquisition for static uniaxial testing systems.
Commonly paired needs: Product-specific sampling/specimen requirements, force verification/calibration practices for the test machine, and data acquisition expectations when using computer-controlled systems.
Get help selecting a GB/T 228.1 tensile testing setup
If you need to test a specific metal product form (sheet, bar, fasteners, tube, welded coupons, etc.) and want a configuration that supports the properties you must report, contact our team with your material, specimen details, and the exact GB/T 228.1 edition you are required to follow.
