The tensile machine can stretch, bend, compress or puncture the plastic splines at a controlled speed until they break. Due to the wide range of applications of the tension machine, the tension machine has become one of the most common instruments in the laboratory of plastic compounding manufacturers. A tensile machine is used during the compound development process to determine the suitability of the material for a particular process and end use. The tensile machine has also become one of the most common instruments in the plastic injection molding factory laboratory. One reason is that they are increasingly being used in cutting-edge product and process development. Another reason is that they provide more rigorous monitoring of the quality control of feeds and finished products. Many OEMs, especially those in the medical device or automotive sector, require plastic processors to perform their own tests at the end of the production run. Another reason for internal testing is improved process control, which reduces scrap rates and achieves real returns.

The specifications of the tensile machine are represented by the combination of the maximum load that the frame can withstand and the maximum load of the load cell. The load unit is mounted on a motor driven or hydraulically driven moving beam. The load cell connected to the fixture measures the force and can be read from a digital display or computer. Many electronic tensioners have interchangeable sensors that match the material to be tested.

Early pull machines had pointers and chart recorders. They are now completely replaced by CNC and computer software. The new controller can automatically test and display the corresponding data, even when the test is in progress, the stress-strain curve can be displayed instantly. Reduced the workload calculated by the experimenter. How the sample remains at the bottom of the instrument is important because different types of tests require different fixtures.