4.1 Measurements of bending strength and modulus of elasticity in bending should be made for materials whose principal stressing mode is bending. For many materials, the tensile and compressive moduli are somewhat different. Since the bending modulus is a combination of the tensile and compressive moduli, it is often different from each of them.

4.2 Precise measurements of the modulus of elasticity in bending and bending strength require due regard for numerous variables that may affect their determination. These include (1) characteristics such as specimen orientation with respect to the rolling direction, grain size, residual stresses, previous strain history, dimensions and specimen preparation, orientation of deformed grains relative to the direction of the normal stress; and (2) test conditions, such as tem- perature, temperature variations, condition of the test equipment and adherence to the recommended test procedure.