Abstract:

The purpose of this experiment was to find the maximum force, tensile strength and yield strength
of the aluminum sample. A standard ASTM sample was machined out of aluminum and placed in
the ultimate testing machine (UTM). By analyzing the results, it was seen that the sample had
impurities in it as it did not behave like aluminum should and showed brittle fracture. It was
concluded that the observed values for aluminum were anomalous due to impurities in the sample.
The E-8 tests were used.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction………………………………………………………….04
2. Appratus……………………………………………………………..04
3. Procedure…………………………………………………................04
4. Observation………………………………………………………….05
5. Discussion……………………………………………………….......06
6. Conclusion…………………………………………………………..07
7. References…………………………………………………………..07
 LIST OF FIGURES

1. Universal testing Machine………………………………………………………...04

2. Sample for Tensile test……………………………………………………………05

3. Graph………………………………………………………………………………...06
1. Introduction:
The tensile test is one of the simplest and most widely used mechanical tests by
measuring the force required to elongate a specimen to breaking point, material properties can be
determined that will allow engineers to predict how materials will behave under tensile load.
Tensile tests are performed for several reasons. The results of tensile tests are used in selecting
materials for engineering applications. Tensile properties frequently are included in material
specifications to ensure quality .Tensile properties often are measured during development of
new materials and processes, so that different materials and processes can be compared. Finally,
tensile properties often are used to predict the behavior of a material under forms of loading
other than uniaxial tension. The strength of a material often is the primary concern. Also of
interest is the material’s ductility, which is a measure of how much it can be deformed before it
fractures. Rarely is ductility incorporated directly in design; rather, it is included in material
specifications to ensure quality and toughness. Low ductility in a tensile test often is
accompanied by low resistance to fracture under other forms of loading.

2. Apparatus:
 Universal testing machine (UTM)
 Vernier Caliper
 Test Specimen

Fig:1 Universal Testing Machine

3. Procedure:
The tensile test for aluminum sample was performed by using the ultimate testing machine
(UTM). The machine has a fixed jaw and a movable jaw that moves at a specific strain rate. On
the fixed end, there is a load cell that is connected to a computer and applies the load on the
sample.
The first thing we did was measure the dimensions of the sample that included total length,
gauge length, and gauge diameter. These measurements were taken with the help of Vernier
calipers. Next, the sample was placed in the serrated jaws of the machine. The sample was held
on both of its ends. We selected the ASTM E-8/M test that is the tensile test for metals. The
measured dimensions were then fed into the computer in mm. The start was clicked and the
machine started running. After the sample broke, we took it out and observed the fracture.

Fig 2: Sample

4. Observations:
The sample suddenly broke from the upper end of the gauge. The fracture was of a brittle
nature unlikely for a metal such as aluminum. The graph was being plotted in real time as load
was being applied to the sample at hand.
Test Sample: Aluminum
Test Standard: ASTM E8M-2004
Speed of testing: 0.5 mm/min
Gauge Diameter of Specimen: 6mm
Total Length: 94.4 mm
Gauge Length: 30 mm
 Sr. Modulus of Elasticity Maximum Tensile Lower Yield Upper Yield
No. GPa Force Strength Strength Strength
kN MPa MPa MPa
1. 7.59 215.57 177.25 177.28

Fig 3: Graph
5. Discussion:
The sample showed brittle fracture. And broke from the upper end of the gauge. Both of
these were due to poor machining of the sample and the aluminum chose was not pure but rather
had impurities in it. The stress could have been concentrated around the impurity resultin in the
sample breaking from the upper end of the gauge. From the darker shade of the broken surface
our closest guess was that the aluminum had silicon impurities in it. Here is how we came to this
conclusion.

 Naturally Occurring:
Silicon is present in most bauxite ores, the primary source of aluminum. So even
after refining some silicon stays in the aluminum. It is the most common impurity in
aluminum.
 Color:
The sample showed a darker shade instead of a silvery shine that is a common
property of aluminum. This is due to the aluminum silicon intermetallic that has a
different color than pure aluminum.
 Surface Features:
The sample had high silicon content due to the presence of tiny, shiny particles
embedded in the fracture surface.
6. Conclusion:
Briefly, the silicon impurity is the major cause of the stress concentration, which caused
the material to break above the middle of the gauge. The brittle fracture of the sample was also
due to this impurity.

7. References:
mse.iastate. (n.d.). Lab:9 Tensile testing. Retrieved from mse.iastate:
https://www.mse.iastate.edu/files/2011/07/polymer-lab-instron-procedure.pdf

mtu. (n.d.). Tensile test experiment. Retrieved from mtu.edu:

https://www.mtu.edu/materials/k12/experiments/tensile/

researchgate.net. (n.d.). Laboratory experiment tensile testng. Retrieved from researchgate.net:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334362506_LABORATORY_EXPERIMENTS_TENSILE_
TESTING

8. Individual Contributions:
Contributions Names
Format & References Adnan Mehmood
Procedure Saad Iqbal
Discussion & Conclusion Ibrahim Ejaz
Introduction Muhammad Abdullah Nasir
Abstract & Precautions Muhammad Zubair
Results & Figures Junaid Habib