Tensile Test Report
EPCO's bow and stern eyes are designed for mooring boats in accordance with ABYC H-40.3 and are not intended for lifting boats. The tensile strength of the 304 and 316 series stainless steel used in the production of these products is an important consideration for designers when selecting what style, diameter and material that is used in their product.
EPCO engaged a major midwestern university to conduct tests to report its findings as to the points of failure that were obtained while doing three different tests. The tests were done on a straight pull tensile test (Figures 1 & 2 Tensile Test), an edge pull (Figures 3 & 4 Edge Pull) and a side pull (Figures 5 & 6 Side Pull). The tests were conducted from June 10 - August 18, 2003.*
The tests were done on randomly selected production samples of both 304 and 316 series stainless steel bow eyes. Fixtures for each series of tests were fabricated at the university to accommodate tensile, side pull, and edge pull on the bow eyes. Copies of material certifications were provided with the test samples.
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| Figure 1 Tensile Test | Figure 2 Bow Eye Tensile Failure |
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| Figure 3 Edge Pull | Figure 4 Bow Eye Edge Failure |
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| Figure 5 Side Pull | Figure 6 Side Pull Failure |
The representative samples of 304 and 316 series stainless steel that were tested were EPCO part numbers:
- 151 5/8" diameter—cut thread
- 113 1/2" diameter—cut thread
- 164 .446" diameter—roll thread
- 123 .331" diameter—roll thread
| Failure Loads for Bow Eyes—August 27, 2003 | |||||
| Tensile (lbs) | TYPE | 151 | 113 | 164 | 123 |
| 304 | 47,000 | 31,400 | 31,900 | 18,000 | |
| 316 | 36,300 | 28,800 | 29,900 | 16,800 | |
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| Edge (lbs) | TYPE | 151 | 113 | 164 | 123 |
| 304 | 18,400 | 18,900 | 11,200 | 7,500 | |
| 316 | 21,100 | 21,000 | 14,500 | 11,200 | |
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| Side (lbs) | TYPE | 151 | 113 | 164 | 123 |
| 304 | 6,400 | 3,900 | 10,600 | 6,000 | |
| 316 | 32,300 | 3,400 | 3,500 | 11,700 | |
June 10, 2003 - August 18, 2003
Test Conclusion
"Tensile tests results and edge pull test results correlate to expectations of material behavior for a single test situation. Side pull tests are not as conclusive, even with a second series of tests. However, with an appropriate factor for safety, side pull results can be used." —quote from test report on August 27, 2003
Statement of Compliance
All the products that EPCO produces meet or exceed the
requirements for that product as defined by ABYC
H-40.
