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SURFACE VEHICLE J450™ OCT201 7

RECOMMENDED PRACTICE Issued 1 960-06

Reaffirmed 2002-02
Stabilized 201 7-1 0

Superseding J450 FEB2002

Use of Terms Yield Strength and Yield Point

RATIONALE

The technical report covers technology, products, or processes which are mature and not likely to change in the foreseeable
future.

STABILIZED NOTICE

This document has been declared "Stabilized" by the SAE Carbon and Alloy Steels Committee and will no longer be
subjected to periodic reviews for currency. Users are responsible for verifying references and continued suitability of
technical requirements. Newer technology may exist.

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SAE INTERNATIONAL J450™ OCT201 7 1 OF 2

1. Scope—The purpose of this SAE Recommended Practice is to describe the terms yield strength and yield
point. Included are definitions for both terms and recommendations for their use and application.

2. References

2.1 Applicable Publications—The following publications form a part of this specification to the extent specified
herein.

2.1 .1 ASTM P U BLICA TION S —Available from ASTM, 1 00 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 1 9428-2959.

ASTM A 370—Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
ASTM E 6—Standard Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing
ASTM E 8—Standard Test Methods of Tension Testing of Metallic Materials

3. Definitions

3.1 Yield Strength—The stress at which a material exhibits a specified limiting deviation from the proportionality
of stress to strain. At the point of limiting deviation, the yield strength is expressed in units of stress and is
referenced to a particular strain. The units of stress and strain should be defined as either engineering stress
and strain or true stress and strain. The deviation may be measured either by the Offset method or by the
Extension Under Load method as described in ASTM E 8. The method of measurement must be stated when
reporting yield strength. The term is applicable to materials whose stress-strain diagram in the area of
transition from elastic to plastic strain is a smooth curve, as well as to those which yield discontinuously and
whose stress strain diagrams exhibit an upper yield point or sharp knee.

3.2 Yield Point— A special case of yield strength applicable where yielding occurs discontinuously. An upper and
sometimes a lower value can be determined. The upper yield point is defined as the first stress in the material,
at which an increase in strain occurs without an increase in stress. The lower yield point is defined as the
lowest point between the first stress and the onset of continuous plastic behavior, at which an increase in
strain occurs without an increase in stress.

Since in their commercial form, only ferrous metals exhibit this phenomenon and then only under some
circumstances, it follows that the term yield point has only limited application to the results of tensile testing of
ferrous metals and is not applicable to the testing of nonferrous metals.
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SAE INTERNATIONAL J450™ OCT201 7 2 OF 2

4. Recommended Usage

4.1 Nonferrous Metals—Only the term yield strength is applicable. Specifications and test reports must always
state the method of test and limiting values of strain.

4.2 Ferrous Metals—Yield strength is the general term and it is applicable to stress-strain curves of both the
smooth, rounded type, and the type characteristic of discontinuous yielding. When reporting yield strength, the
method of test and limiting values of strain must be stated.

Strictly interpreted, the term “yield point” is intended for application only in those cases in which the material
exhibits the unique characteristics defined previously under yield point. If only a single value of yield point is
reported, it should be indicated whether it is the upper or lower yield point. There are some specifications
which prescribe a yield point for materials which have smooth stress-strain curves. In such cases, use of the
term yield point should be discouraged. However a practical substitute for yield point would be a yield strength
value obtained through any of the recommended methods described in ASTM E 8.

For a more detailed discussion of the terms involved and a description of the applicable methods of test refer to
the following:

ASTM A 370—Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
ASTM E 6—Standard Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing
ASTM E 8—Standard Test Methods of Tension Testing of Metallic Materials

PREPARED BY THE SAE IRON AND STEEL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE DIVISION 1 —

CARBON AND ALLOY STEELS