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Polypropylene Tensile Testing

BEng (HON) Petroleum and Mechanical

Engineering
Engineering Materials and Petroleum
Group Design
School of Computing, Science and Engineering

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Table of Contents
Introduction

polypropylene 4
Objective

Conceptual Analysis 5
Test Procedures
Data gathering7
Graphs 8
Calculations

13

Discussion

14

Conclusion

15

References

16

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Introduction
Tensile examinations focus on measuring the energy needed to fracture
specimens and the extents to which such specimens can stretch or
elongate to the fracturing point. Such examinations are important in terms
of producing what are labelled as stress-strain diagrams. Hence, this is
then used in various ways such as determining tensile modulus. Such data
becomes very useful as it is generally used for specifying a particular
material, to design various parts so that it withstands application force or
perhaps simply as a quality control check of the material. Being mindful of
the fact that the physical property of numerous materials particularly in
the context of thermoplastics, come with variations which depend on
ambient temperatures, thus solidifying the significance of testing
materials at temperature which simulate the envisioned end use
environment. Hence, the mechanical property of a material can be found
if one performs carefully designed laboratory tests which replicate as
closely as possible the service condition.

However, it is worth noting that in reality, there are countless issues

involved with regards to the nature in which a load is applied on materials.
Below are some of the main instances of modes by which a load can be
applied: tensile, compressive, or shear. Such properties are significant in
the context of material selection for mechanical designs. Additional
factors which generally makes it difficult the process of the designs
includes temperature as well as time factor. Under this experiment, the
topic of the lab appears to be limited to the tensile property of polymer.
Figure 1 indicates an example of a tensile testing machine very much
similar to the one adopted in the lab. The examination can be said to be a
destructive approach in the sense that specimens of standard shapes as
well as dimensions in accordance with the ASTM D 638: standard
experiment approach for tensile properties of plastics, is putt to an axial
loads. In the course of such tensile test, a specimen which seems to have
the characteristics of a shape similar to that of a dog-bone is gripped from

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both its two sides and then pulled to elongate at a determined level to its
breaking point; a high ductile polymer might not reach its breaking point.

Polypropylene
Polypropylene can be described as a highly crystalline thermoplastic
polymer formed by the chain increase polymerisation of propylene. This is
can be described as a gas attained from petroleum cracking. Indeed, it
does have properties which relate to polyethylene though strikingly
appears to have highly melting temperatures as well as greater rate of
stiffness. It can be developed with differing molecular chain structure in a
controllable condition (stereo-specific). However, sole the "isotactic" form
can be created in greater quantities. It is worth noting that the isotactic
polypropylene is said to have been found during 1954 by Guilio Natta from
Italy with the help of Paulo Chini. At the time of the discovery, Guilio was
doing the research for an organisation called Montecatini. Catalyst of the
form created by Germans Karl Ziegler, for the development of
polyethylene at ambient pressure was used. (See K. Ziegler, G.
Natta.) Note, Commercial productions of polypropylene started during
1957 with various organisations including Hercules and Montecatini.
Both Ziegler and Natta won the Nobel Prize in the field of Chemistry
during 1963 by recognising the research carried out by both towards
"Ziegler-Natta" catalysts. Polypropylene is a significant plastic as it is
generally adopted in the use of numerous diverse forms as well as
applications using a variety of manufacturing processes. Significant
amounts of polypropylene are used in fibres as elements of fabrics,
upholstery and carpets. Large numbers of injection moulded objects do
exist with regards to appliance housing, resistant container, car
component as well as furniture. Therefore, the extraordinary weak
resistant properties of polypropylene seem to have seen important
applications in long life hinge designs in packaging containers and

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elsewhere. There has been a gradual increase of the development,

consumption as well as applications in terms of this crucial polymer ever
since the 1980s using applications of more effective catalyst as well as
property enhancement.

Objective
Some of the objectives behind this test include examining the behaviours
of one material specimen using Tensile Test (polypropylene). By carrying
out this experiment, the properties which are determined include; youngs
modulus, yield stress, ultimate tensile stress, percentage elongation at
fracture, percentage reduction in cross-sectional area at fracture and
fracture stress.
Conceptual Analysis
Tensile test is a stand-out amongst the most vital mechanical property
assessment test. In this test a Polypropylene specimen is disfigured by
applying a uniaxial force as indicated in the figure beneath. One end of
the specimen is fixed in a static hold while the flip side of the sample is
pulled at a consistent speed. The load is ceaselessly observed amid the
test. It is usual to direct this test until the specimen is fractured. Amid the
test, the prompt stretching of the specimen can be ascertained from the
speed of deformation or can likewise be measured by utilising an
extensometer.

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The subsequent
yield from such a test is
recorded as
Load against
displacement
and can be graphically
shown as a Load
against prolongation
bend. Load
against prolongation bend
is then changed over to engineering-stress versus Engineering-strain bend
to assess the tensile properties of materials. Most of the time,
engineering-stress versus Engineering-strain curve, need to be changed
over to genuine stress versus genuine strain curve.
The tensile properties that can be acquired from the stress-strain bends
are yield strengths, rigidity, break point, elongation, uniform extension,
modulus of versatility, and modulus of toughness.

Procedure/Apparatus
The machine used in this experiment was universal testing machine. The
specimen is placed amid the jaw of the machine used for the experiment.
The extensometer is used to attach to the specimen as its points are set
at 'gauge length' distance apart. As result, the tensile load is placed to the
specimen. In the test, the elongation is measured by the extensometer.
Consequently, the load is augmented as the corresponding elongation is
also measured again. From this point the experiment appears to have
gone beyond the elastic boundary of the specimen. Under this
experiment, the highest load applied was 283.2 N for specimen 1, 258.8 N
for specimen 2 and 258.8 for specimen 3. Since at this level, 'necking' was
observed. Despite the reduction in the load, elongation seems to have
continued till there were fractures in the specimen. At this stage, the
specimen is detached as its broken sides are fitted together in order to
measure the gauge length at the instant of fracture.

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Data
Av. C.S.A. (T x
W)
Specimen
1
12.5mm/m
Specimen
2
50mm/m
Specimen
2
100mm/m

2.19

2.17

2.16

Av T=2.2

W
T

4.7
2.12

4.74
2.11

4.7
2.12

Av W=4.71
Av T=2.12

W
T

4.65
2.24

4.68
2.21

4.65
2.20

Av W=4.66
Av T=2.22

4.72

4.75

4.75

Av W4.74

Specimen 1
Gauge Length
CSA
CSA at Fracture
Fracture Load
Fracture Stress
Tensile Ductility
Nominal Yield
Youngs Modulus

33 mm
10.362
2.106
283.2 N
134.5 N/m2
7.29
24.03 N/mm2
104.8 N/m2

Specimen 2
Gauge Length
CSA
CSA at Fracture
Fracture Load
Fracture Stress
Tensile Ductility
Nominal Yield
Youngs Modulus

33 mm
9.8792
2.4985
202.64 N
81.1 N/m2
6.24
26.2 N/mm2
126.5 N/m2

Specimen 3
Gauge Length
CSA
CSA at Fracture
Fracture Load
Fracture Stress
Tensile Ductility
Nominal Yield
Youngs Modulus

33 mm
10.5228
2.375
134.28 N
56.5 N/m2
1.02
24.6 N/mm2
127.9 N/m2

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Graphs

Calculations
Specimen 1
True Fracture Stress =
N/m2

Fracture Load
Crosssection areaat fracture

283.2
2.106

= 134.5

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Extention at Break
Tensile Ductility = Original Gauge Lenght
Load at High Yield
Nominal Yield = Crosssection area

Young Modulus =

Load at HighYield
Crosssection area
Ext at High Yield
Gaugelenght

240.5
33

249.0
10.362

= 7.29

= 24.03 N/mm2

24.03
7.568
33

= 104.8 N/m2

Specimen 2
True Fracture Stress =

Fracture Load
Crosssection areaat fracture

202.64
2.4985

= 81.1

N/m2
Extention at Break
Tensile Ductility = Original Gauge Lenght
Load at High Yield
Nominal Yield = Crosssection area

Young Modulus =

Load at HighYield
Crosssection area
Ext at High Yield
Gaugelenght

206.1
33

258.8
9.8792

= 6.25

= 26.2 N/mm2

26.2
6.836
33

= 126.5 N/m2

Specimen 3
True Fracture Stress =

Fracture Load
Crosssection areaat fracture

Extention at Break
Tensile Ductility = Original Gauge Lenght
Load at High Yield
Nominal Yield = Crosssection area

33.52
33

258.8
10.5228

134.28
2.375

= 1.02

= 24.6 N/mm2

= 56.5 N/m2

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Young Modulus =

Load at HighYield
Crosssection area
Ext at High Yield
Gaugelenght

24.6
6.348
33

= 127.9 N/m2

Discussion
In this section, the most crucial parts of the graphs are discussed. The
graphs for specimen 1 and 2 are similar but different in some parts while
the graph for specimen 3 is very different. All the graphs start with a liner
line going upwards, this linear line continues until the specimen reaches
the end of the elastic part of the process.
All materials are made off connected atoms so elasticity can be best
interpreted by imagining the atoms are connected by springs. The atoms
get longer as the material gets pulled apart and the material elongates.
The straight line is the elastic part of the curve. There is an indication that
when the line is linear, the material will regain its original form if the load
is eliminated.
When the graph bends it means that it is no longer linear. This stage is the
0.2% offset yield strength. This shows the strength of the material just as
it is about to begin change in its shape permanently. It is determined as
the estimation of the stress at which a line of the same slant as the
beginning part of the bend that is balanced by a stress of 0.2% converges
the bend. This is a crucial aspect of strength. It tells us how much stress
that can be applied before the material begins to permanently take a
different shape, putting it on a path which will eventually fail.
As we tend to move up from stage 2 the load on the fabric will increase till
the maximum load is reached, whereas the fabric changes form uniformly
on the whole gauge length. once we reach stage 3,we are able to verify
the tensile strength or most load the fabric can support. It's not a very
helpful property, since the fabric has for good has been distorted at this
stage. Once we tend to reach this point, the stress begins to curve
drastically downward. This corresponds to localised deformation, that is
determined by an obvious necking or reduction within the diameter and
corresponding cross-sectional of the sample inside a very little area. If we
tend to unleash the load in this region, the fabric can spring back a bit
however the damage is done and shape has permanently change.

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As we tend to move from the second part of the graph, the stress that's on
the fabric will increase till highest stress is applied. As the material
changes its form on its length, stage 3 is reached. Finally, as we tend to
follow the curve we tend to eventually reach some extent wherever the
fabric breaks. Of interest here is that the final degree to that the fabric
changes form. This can be the ductility of the fabric. Its determined by
the intersection of line four, having an equivalent slope as the linear
portion of the curve, with the strain axis.
This demonstration shows a strain of 0.15. In this manner, the molecules
flexibly extended will come back to their non-stacked positions. Other
data about the mechanical reaction of the material can likewise be
assembled from a fracture test.
Since the speed set on the machine was different for the 3 specimen, the
graphs are different especially for specimen 3. The speed set for specimen
3 was 100mm/min which resulted in an extension break at 33.52 mm. This
value is small compared to the other 2 which had an extension break
206.1 mm and 240.5 respectively. Specimen 1 had the highest value of
tensile ductility of 7.29. This is because the material could handle the
stress; however the speed of the test is also a major factor. The slower the
speed the higher the tensile ductility, the true fracture stress and but the
faster the speed, the youngs modulus will be.

Conclusion
The calculations show that specimen 3 have the highest youngs modulus of 127.9 N/M2 and
the lowest tensile ductility of 1.02 and as discussed above, this due to the speed at which the
specimen was pulled apart which was 100mm/min. As the speed was reduced for specimen 2,
the tensile ductility increased to 6.25 and at the lowest speed which was used for specimen 1,
the tensile ductility also increased to 7.29. When the speed was reduced, the ductility
increases which meant that the extension break also increased.
As the specimen are been pulled apart, necking commenced. After this stage the
stress amplified till the specimen fractured. This occurred at a load of
approximately 134.5N/M2 for specimen 1, 81.1 N/m2 for specimen 2 and
56.5 N/m2 for specimen 3.

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