==== Using a caliper or micrometer ====
Use preferably a caliper to measure lengths and a micrometer to measure thickness of rectangular specimens or height of compression specimens.

  - Apply the device (caliper or micrometer) without applying pressure on the dimension you want to measure, especially for soft elastomers.
  - Block the device.
  - Then remove it from the specimen. If you are having trouble removing the device without modifying the measured length, it means that some pressure was applied on it.   
  - Write down value. Write down in your lab notebook every measurement performed. And then, next to them, the mean you will input in the software.

==== Compression specimens ====
  - Measure the height in 3 places evenly distributed along the total circumference. Take the mean.
  - Measure the diameter in 3 places evenly distributed along the height. Take the mean.
{{ :compspecimen.png |}}

**Tensile specimens**

Tensile specimens are called dumbbell specimens and have this shape:

{{ :tensilespecimen.png |}}

  - Measure the gauge length 3 times. The gauge length corresponds to the straight part of the specimen with the smallest section. Take the mean.
  - Measure the width in 3 places evenly distributed places along the gauge length. Take the mean.
  - Measure the thickness in 3 places evenly distributed places along the gauge length. Take the mean.