This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what

changes have been made to the previous version. Because

it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.

Designation: A938 − 07 (Reapproved 2013) A938 − 18

Standard Test Method for

Torsion Testing of Wire1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A938; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope*
1.1 This test method describes the torsion (or twist) testing of metallic wire.
1.2 The values stated in U.S. customary units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI equivalents of U.S. customary units
may be approximate.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
iTeh Standards
E6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing

3. Terminology
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3.1 Definitions—The definitions related to torsion testing appearing in Terminology E6 shall be considered as applying to the
terms used in this test method.
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4. Significance and Use
4.1 The complex stress and strain conditions that occur
ASTM in the sample during the torsion test are sensitive to minor variations
A938-18
in materials, making the torsion test a useful tool in assessing wire ductility under torsional loading.
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5. Apparatus
5.1 Clamping Heads:
5.1.1 The torsion test apparatus must have clamping heads that will remain coaxial (within 10°) during the test.
5.1.2 One clamping head shall be easily displaceable in the direction of the wire axis. This longitudinally displaceable clamping
head shall be equipped with a device capable of applying the necessary tensile load.
5.1.3 The clamping heads shall clamp the wire firmly, but should not damage it to the extent that fracture occurs at the clamping
point during twisting. The distance between the clamps is the test length. The wire shall be twisted only along the test length, and
not at the point of clamping. These requirements can be satisfied by bending a short section at each end of the specimen to an angle
of about 90° to the wire axis, as described in 6.3.
5.2 Revolution Counter—A mechanism to count the number of twists shall be provided.
5.3 Protective Shield—A protective shield shall be provided to protect the operator from flying fragments in cases when the wire
breaks into more than two pieces.

1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloysand is the direct responsibility of A01.03 on Steel Rod
and Wire.
Current edition approved April 1, 2013Sept. 1, 2018. Published April 2013September 2018. Originally approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 20072013 as
A938 – 07.A938 – 07 (2013). DOI: 10.1520/A0938-07R13.10.1520/A0938-18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 A938 − 18
6. Specimen Preparation
6.1 Straightening—The test piece, consisting of a length of wire, should be straight before being tested. If straightening is
necessary, it shall, unless otherwise specified, be done by hand. Other straightening techniques are permitted provided surface
damage is avoided. Since the shear stress is maximum at the surface of the wire during testing, even slight surface damage such
as pits or scratches can cause early fracture, and the results may not be indicative of the full capability of the wire.
NOTE 1—During straightening, it is important that the properties and cross section remain unchanged as far as possible. In particular, the specimen shall
not be subjected to any twisting.
6.1.1 During straightening, it is important that the properties and cross section remain unchanged as far as possible. In particular,
the specimen shall not be subjected to any twisting.
6.2 Test Length:
6.2.1 Recommended test length is 8 in. (203 mm) (distance between the clamping heads). Sufficient material must also be
provided to allow for gripping.
6.2.2 Other test lengths may be used as agreed upon between the producer and purchaser or as specified in the appropriate
product specification.
6.2.3 When a test length other than 8 in. (203 mm) is used, the minimum torsions shall be revised in direct proportion to the
change in the jaw spacing, or as determined by the following formula:
~T L ! ~ L x !
Tx 5 (1)
~ L L!
where:
Tx = minimum torsions for new length,
TL = minimum torsions for 8 in. (203 mm) length,
Lx = new length, and

iTeh Standards
LL = 8 in. (203 mm).
6.3 End Preparation—To prevent the gripped ends from slipping tangentially in the clamps, a minimum of 1⁄2 in. (12.7 mm)
(12.7 mm) of each end of the wire is often bent approximately 90° to the axis of the test sample. The end sections need not be
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exactly parallel to each other. See Fig. 1.
7. Procedure
Document
7.1 Tensile Force—Clamp the specimen Preview
in the clamps of the test apparatus with its longitudinal axis coaxial with the clamping
heads and in such a manner that the specimen remains as straight as possible during testing (see 5.1.1). Unless specified otherwise,
this can be accomplished by applying a small tensile force to the specimen. This force should be just sufficient to prevent the
ASTM A938-18
specimen from deflecting away from the axis of rotation during twisting. Recommended tensile forces are shown in Table 1.
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7.2 Speed of Twisting—The speed of testing should be such that the wire is not heated appreciably during the test since excessive
speed results in a lowering of torsion values. Recommended maximum speeds are shown in Table 2.
7.3 Number of Turns:
7.3.1 After placing the test specimen in the machine, rotate one clamp at a reasonably constant speed until the test specimen
fractures, defined as a complete separation of the broken ends.
7.3.2 If the number of turns is satisfactory, the test specimen is considered as having passed the test, regardless of the position
of fracture, defined as complete separation of the broken ends. If the number of turns does not satisfy the requirements of the
specification, and the initial fracture, defined as complete separation of the broken ends, location is within two times the wire
diameter from the clamps, the test is considered invalid and shall be repeated.
NOTE 1—Specimens often break into more than two pieces, subsequent fractures resulting from the rapid untwisting of the wire following the initial
fracture. In many cases, the initial fracture will have a smooth surface perpendicular to the wire axis. The above validity test applies only to the location
of this initial break.

8. Report
8.1 The following information shall be included in the test report:
8.1.1 Specimen identification,
8.1.2 Wire diameter,
8.1.3 Test length, and

FIG. 1 Sketch Showing 90° Bends at Ends of Wire Twist Test Specimen