FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

MATERIAL TESTING AND FRACTURE ANALYSIS

BMMP 3573 SEMESTER 2 SESSION 2019/2020

LAB 1: TENSILE TESTING OF POLYMER MATERIAL

NAME OF GROUP 1.
MEMBERS &
MATRIX NUMBER
2.

3.

4.

COURSE 3 BMMP

DATE

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR 1.

2.

TOTAL MARKS VERIFICATION STAMP

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1.0 OBJECTIVES

This experiment is designed to expose students with the use of Universal Testing
Machine (UTM) instrument to measure strength of materials as per ASTM D638-
16a

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this laboratory session, student should be able to:-

a) Perform Tensile Test for Non-ferrous metal according to ASTM D638-14

Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
b) Interpret the result for tensile test and discuss the result accordingly

3.0 THEORY

Tensile testing or Tension testing is a method to determine a material’s

mechanical strength by applying tensional load on a specimen until fracture. It is a
fundamental materials science study to understand material’s behaviour under load.
A number of major material properties can be determined from the testing.
The result of the testing is normally presented as a graph showing stress (force
applied per area) versus strain (deformation per original length).
In this test the load is applied along only one axis, and the rate of loading is
constant. This test is done on a universal mechanical testing machine which is
typically screw-driven or hydraulically powered. In some cases the machine may be
computer controlled. The primary data generated are load vs. elongation which are
to be converted into stress vs. strain data.
In modern tensile testers, load is measured using a load cell, in older or
simpler testing machines, a purely mechanical or hydraulical device may be
employed for measuring the load. Strain can be measured from the displacement
of the crosshead or directly from the specimen. Typical devices for measuring strain
are mechanical dial indicators, electrically-resistive strain gages attached to the
specimen, or extensometers that employ either an optical device, a strain gage or
an inductive or capacitive transducer. Strain transducers have the advantage that

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they measure only the displacement in the gage length of the specimen. This
eliminates error due to the deformation in the ends of the specimen, slack in the
load train, and the stiffness of the testing machine.
Resin materials (plastics) are found in a wide variety of items used on a daily
basis. Recently, plastics have started to be used as structural materials in
transportation equipment, such as automobiles and aircraft, due to their strength
and light-weight nature. In these applications, it is important to understand the
mechanical strength properties of these plastics.
ASTM D638 specifies methods for testing the tensile strength of plastics and
other resin materials and for calculating their mechanical properties, and outlines
accuracy requirements for the test frames and accessories used.

4.0 EQUIPMENT
1. Universal Testing Machine (Figure 1)
2. Tensile test specimen
3. Ruler/Caliper

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Figure 1 Instron 5960 Series Dual Column 50kN Universal Testing Machine

5.0 PROCEDURES
A. Polymer material test specimen preparation
1. Measure the dimensions of the brass tensile test specimen according to
ASTM D638
2. Record your dimension in Table 1 provided
3. Mark its gauge length and also dividers that are equally in spacing
between the gauge length markings

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Figure 2 ASTM D638 Tensile Test Specimen Type I

Table 1 Tensile Test Specimen Dimensions

No Item Dimensions (mm)

1 Wc

2 WO

3 T

4 G

5 L

6 D

7 LO

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B. TEST SETUP AND RUN

1. Zero the force on the testing machine. This is important to ensure
safety of the grip apparatus.
2. Mount the test specimen on the jaws of the gripping apparatus. Ensure
only the grip section is being gripped.
3. Run the tensile test method file
4. Input the necessary information especially the test mode,specimen
information
5. Start tensile test

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6.0 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

Paste the report from the tensile test here

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7.0 QUESTIONS
Refer to ASTM D638-14 to interpret the results based on the tensile report
I. Determine the Yield Strength and the method that you used to determine it.

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II. Determine the Tensile Strength or Ultimate Tensile Strength of the specimen.

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III. Determine the elongation of the specimen

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IV. Determine the reduction of area

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8.0 DISCUSSION
Discuss based on the questions below. Find other references to help you answer
I. Name at least TWO (2) more information or material properties excluding the
information that have been provided in section 7.0 that can be acquired from
the stress strain diagram.
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II. Find the True Stress and True Strain values. Discuss both values
significance.
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9.0 CONCLUSION
Write a conclusion based on the experimental results.
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10.0 REFERENCES
List at least 2 reference(s) that you have used.
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11.0 APPENDIX
Attach any information that would help in the report that you deem necessary from
this page onwards (e.g specimen pictures)

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