A bending test fixture for test coupons includes a test region for receiving a test coupon and first and second supports on opposed sides of the test region. One of the first or second supports includes a first pair of spaced-apart support points and the other of the first or second supports includes a second pair of spaced-apart support points that are narrowly spaced relative to the first pair of spaced-apart support points. There is a load shaft for applying a load to the second support and an articulated joint between the load shaft and the second support for uniformly distributing the load to the first support.