Abstract
Reliable tensile data are crucial in the automotive design process, particularly for the implementation of new Advanced High Strength Steel grades that can be used in new intricate shapes. The property evaluation of specific subsections of a complex part, such as a metal stamping, requires deviation from standard-sized specimens because of material quantity limitations which force the use of smaller specimens. A new tensile geometry is introduced for testing regions within parts that were previously difficult to characterize. However, the specimen size effect is not consistent between different steels, as demonstrated for this new geometry herein. Tensile property measurements taken with noncontact extensometers from specimens of three different sizes from three different sheet steels showed varying material responses to changes in specimen geometry.