Kink Test

Method for determining ductility of metal wire.

A short section of wire is looped and drawn in tension to produce a kink. Relative ductility is indicated by the occurrence or non-occurrence of failure and extent to which kink may be opened up without failure.

A loop of copper wire.

The end of the copper wire are pulled to form a tighter loop.

Loop pulled tighter still.

Wire pulled hard to form kink.

Wire unwound, kink still present at this point and more force required to pull straight than to form original kink.

See also: Ductility, Wire.