A new anti-buckling fixture for tension-compression test of sheet metal

Abstract The in-plane tensile-compressive test is a key method for studying plastic behavior under complex loading. This study presents a novel anti-buckling fixture designed for cyclic testing. The device can conduct monotonic tensile-compressive tests with deformations of up to 10%. The specimen is encased in an acrylic block for structural stability and to prevent buckling. Its application and impact on the force-displacement curve have been addressed. The AutoGrid optical strain measurement system was integrated with the fixture for strain analysis, and its accuracy was systematically evaluated. The developed fixture is well-suited for accurately describing the plastic behavior of materials under complex loading paths and it aids in precisely determining the kinematic hardening characteristics.