Tension Calculator for Wire Applications
Calculate tension at yield for Copper, Aluminum or Steel wire applications.
Input the values for your wire application below:
Establishing a tension setpoint of 50% of yield strength is a reasonable starting point, however, some applications may require more or less tension depending on the process being performed (winding, twisting, coating, drawing, etc.).
| Material Type | Annealed | Hard | Cold-Drawn |
| Copper (99.9%) | 5,000 – 10,000 psi | 10,000 – 20,000 psi | 30,000 – 40,000 psi |
| Aluminum | 5,000 – 15,000 psi | 13,000 – 40,000 psi | 25,000 – 35,000 psi |
| Silver | 3,000 – 5,000 psi | 5,000 – 15,000 psi | 20,000 – 30,000 psi |
| Titanium | 50,000 – 80,000 psi | 60,000 – 100,000 psi | 120,000 – 150,000 psi |
| 304 Stainless Steel | 25,000 psi | 30,000 psi | 70,000 – 90,000 psi |
| 17-4 Stainless Steel | 70,000 psi | 100,000 psi | 100,000 – 200,000 psi |
Disclaimer: Tension recommendations are offered as rough guidelines only, and do not guarantee optimum performance. Some experimentation may be required to achieve an optimum tension setpoint for your specific operation or application.