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1.0 Compression Test

A compression test determines behavior of materials under crushing loads. It is conducted in a

manner similar to tensile test, except that the force is compressive and the specimen contracts along the
direction of the stress.1 The specimen is compressed and deformation at various loads is recorded.
Compressive stress and strain are calculated and plotted as a stress-strain diagram which is used to
determine elastic limit, proportional limit, yield point, yield strength and, for some materials, compressive
strength.

When a simple compressive load is applied to a specimen, the following types of deformation may
take place: elastic or plastic shortening in ductile materials, crushing and fracture in brittle materials, a
sudden bending deformation called buckling in long, slender bars, or combinations of these. Ductile
materials, such as mild steel, have no meaningful compressive strength. Lateral expansion and thus an
increasing cross-sectional area accompany axial shortening. The specimen will not break: excessive
deformation rather than loss of strength often characterize failure. Brittle material commonly fracture
along a diagonal plane which is not the plane of maximum compressive stress, but rather one of high shear
stress which accompanies the uniaxial compression. Strain is a measure of the intensity of deformation
(deformation per unit length). Normal strain, ε, measures the contraction (or elongation) of a body during
deformation.

Figure 1 Initial measurement of testing sample

Several calculations will be required to determine the properties of each sample.

Elastic Modulus: 𝐸

Proportional Limit: 𝜎

Compressive Strength: 𝜎

Figure 2 Stress-strain graph for

Modulus of Resilience: 𝑈 𝜎 .
compression test

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2.0 Experiment Setup

Test Preparation

 The length and cross-sectional dimensions of each specimen must be measured prior to
testing.

Equipment & Materials

 Equipment: INSTRON 50kN

 Material: Mild steel, Aluminum, Brass

Experiment Procedure

1. Identify each specimen and record the initial dimensions of the specimen.

Initial Height Inner Radius Outer Radius Final Height

Material
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
Mild Steel 10.2 7.9 10.3 9.0
Aluminum 10.3 7.8 9.4 8.2
Brass 10.5 8.1 10.5 8.5

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2. Set up the testing machine for compression, and place the specimen between the plates.
3. Compress the specimen in increments until reaching a desired final height.
4. The specimen may now have a barrel shape. Discontinue the test and measure the final
dimensions of the specimen

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3.0 Results – Calculation and graph

1. For each material tested, plot the corresponding stress vs. strain. Identify the proportional
limit and compressive strength as shown in Figure 2.
2. Calculate the elastic modulus and modulus of resilience using the formula given.

STRESS ‐ STRAIN CURVE FOR MILD STEEL
30

25
Stess (N/mm2)

20

15

10

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6
Strain (mm/mm)

Sample : Mild Steel

Properties Value
Elastic Modulus -
Proportional Limit -
Compressive Strength - 5
Modulus of Resiliency -

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STRESS ‐ STRAIN CURVE FOR ALUMINUM
30

25
Stess (N/mm2)
20

15

10

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Strain (mm/mm)

Sample : Aluminum

Properties Value
Elastic Modulus -
Proportional Limit -
Compressive Strength - 5
Modulus of Resiliency -

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STRESS ‐ STRAIN CURVE FOR BRASS
30

25

20
Stess (N/mm2)

15

10

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6
‐5
Strain (mm/mm)

Sample : Brass

Properties Value
Elastic Modulus -
Proportional Limit -
Compressive Strength - 5
Modulus of Resiliency -

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4.0 Dicussion

1. Explain the differences between compression test and tensile test?

Tensile Test – The test specimen was pulled apart under the tension forces (positive direction
or upward).
Compression Test – The test specimen was squished until break under the compensive forces
(negative direction or downward)

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2. Based on your result, please compare and contrast the difference between each material used
in this lab.

Based on the result achieve, the experiment failed to compare the and contrast the difference
between each material used. The possible cause for this failure is because of the inccorrect data
received. The data between load and extension may exchanged.

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3. Explain in your own word why the compression testing is important in manufacturing
industry.

Compressive test is important in the manufacturing industry because it will show the behaviour
of the materials when being compressed or under high loads. Compression test also able to
measure the plastic flow behaviour and ductile fracture limits of a material. The maximum
compressive strength value is important during the material selection in any particular
engineering.

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5.0 Conclusion

Each materials have a different properties. Some materials may have high tensile strength but have
a lower properties at others. In any engineering project, it is important to perform multiple test prior
to material selction. One of the major test that need to be performed is compression test. Compression
test can be used to measure the elastic and compressive fracture propertires of brittle materials or low-
ductility materials.

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6.0 References

1. Callister, W.D, “Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction”, (2003) 6th Edition, John
Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York.

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