Tensile Test Report
Tensile Test Report
College of Engineering
First semester
Section #: 5
Date: 30/10/2024
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Aluminum
Steel calculations
1. Cross-Sectional Area Calculations
Initial Area, A0
A0=π(d0)^2/4
Final Area, A f
Af=π(df)^2/4
These values represent the stress at which the material begins to deform plastically.
Lower Yield Strength: The minimum stress observed after yielding begins.
This is the maximum stress the material can withstand and can be obtained by:
UTS=Fmax/A0
The true fracture strength takes into account the reduction in area:
The modulus of toughness is the area under the entire stress-strain curve, representing the energy
absorbed per unit volume up to fracture.
ΔL%=((Lf−L0)/L0)×100
ΔA%=((A0−Af)/A0)×100
The modulus of resilience is the area under the elastic portion of the stress-strain curve :
UR=(Yield Strength)^2/E
where E is Young's Modulus, and yield strength is either the upper or lower yield strength.
Total Strain=(Lf−L0)/L0
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Aluminum calculations
1. Proof Strength (MPa)
Proof strength is typically defined as the stress at which a specified permanent deformation occurs. You
might need specific data from the tensile test results for this.
Ultimate tensile strength is the maximum stress that a material can withstand while being stretched or
pulled before failing. This is also derived from tensile test data.
This is usually equivalent to the ultimate tensile strength or can be defined by the stress at which a material
fractures.
The true fracture strength takes into account the reduction in area:
ΔL%=((Lf−L0)/L0)×100
Where:
L0 is the original length
Lf is the final length
6. Percent Change in Area (ΔA %)
ΔA%=((Af−A0)/A0)×100
Where:
A=πd^2/4
•The modulus of toughness is the area under the entire stress-strain curve, representing the energy per
unit volume absorbed up to fracture.
ϵ=ΔL/L0
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A0=π(d0)^2/4
Af=π(df)^2/4
Yield Strength=Fy/A0
UTS=Fmax/A0
Calculate this using the load at fracture F fracture and the initial area:
Calculate using the final area Af to account for area reduction at fracture:
ΔL%=((Lf−L0)/L0 *100
ΔA%=((A0−Af)/A0 ×100
9. Total Strain:
Total Strain=(Lf−L0)/L0
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The modulus of toughness is the area under the entire stress-strain curve, representing the energy
per unit volume absorbed up to fracture.
Stress σ=Load/Ao
σ=0.7×1000/0.0001 = 7,000,000 Pa
σ=1.4×1000/0.0001=14,000,000 Pa
Young's modulus E is the slope of the line between stress (σ) and axial strain
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ε axial=143 μm/m=143×10^−6
ε axial=644 μm/m=644×10^−6
calculate E:
E=(42,000,000−7,000,000)/((644×10−6)−(143×10−6)) =35,000,000/(501×10^−6)=69.86×10^9
ν2=−((−212×10^−6)/(644×10^−6)) = 0.329
G=E/2(1+ν)
G=((69.86×10^9)2(1+0.33)) = ((69.86×10^9)/(2.66))=26.27×10^9 Pa
K = E/3(1−2ν)
ν=0.33
K =( 69.86×10^9)/(3(1−2×0.33)) =68.43×10^9
Q: Compare the experimental values of the E and ν with the actual values using any suitable
reference.
Ans :
Young’s Modulus (E): approximately 69.86 GPa69.86
1. Young’s Modulus (E): The typical values for the modulus of elasticity for standard steel are
between 190 GPa and 210 GPa, with the most common value being around 200 GPa
2. Poisson’s Ratio (ν): The standard Poisson's ratio for steel is usually around 0.3
Conclusion:
The Young's Modulus we calculated is significantly lower than the standard value of 200
GPa. This could be due to various factors such as experimental errors, inaccuracies in
measurements, or imperfections in the material used.
The Poisson’s Ratio I obtained is quite close to the reference value, which suggests that the
strain measurements in the axial and lateral directions were relatively accurate.
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Specimens
When testing aluminum and cast iron specimens in a Universal Testing Machine, different fracture
types form based on the properties of each material:
1. Aluminum:
Aluminum is known for its high ductility and ability to undergo deformation before
breaking. When subjected to tensile stress, it typically exhibits a
ductile fracture. This type of fracture is characterized by
significant elongation of the specimen before failure, with
irregular and jagged edges. The fracture surface often looks
fibrous, showing the material has undergone substantial plastic
deformation before breaking.
2. Cast Iron:
Cast iron is brittle and lacks high ductility. When subjected
to tensile stress, it tends to exhibit a brittle fracture. This
type of fracture is characterized by a smooth and sharp
fracture surface, with a sudden failure of the material
without much visible deformation. The fracture in cast iron
is usually clean and almost straight, with cracks and sharp
angles indicating rapid and sudden material failure.
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3. Steel :
Steel typically exhibits a ductile fracture when tested,
especially in mild steel, showing significant elongation an cup-
and-cone shaped break. This indicates that the material
deforms considerably before failure. In contrast, high-carbon
steel can exhibit a more brittle fracture, with a cleaner,
sharper break and less deformation.
The stress system in the Universal Testing Machine (UTM) is designed to apply tensile or
compressive forces to specimens for analyzing material properties. It uses precise sensors to
measure the stresses applied to the sample during testing, such as tensile or compressive stress.
This system can monitor force and elongation in real time, helping to determine a material’s
resistance to fractures and deformations. Its main function is to assess how materials behave
under different loads, providing insights into mechanical properties like strength, toughness, and
ductility.
extensometer
An extensometer is a device used to measure the change in length or
strain of a specimen during mechanical testing, such as tensile or
compression tests. It provides accurate, real-time data on how much a
material stretches or compresses under applied forces, helping to
calculate its mechanical properties like elasticity and ductility. The
extensometer plays a key role in determining the strain-stress
relationship of materials.
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The image shows a Universal Testing Machine (UTM), which is typically used to evaluate the
mechanical properties of materials under various load conditions, such as tension, compression,
or bending.
In this machine:
The machine can apply a range of forces (in this case, up to 100 kN), measuring how materials
respond to different stress and strain conditions. It is used to determine important material
properties such as tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation before fracture.
The image shows two key components commonly used in material testing systems:
2. Switch and Balance Unit (right, arrow pointing to it): This unit allows the user to switch
between different strain gauges or sensors connected to the system. It balances the circuits
to ensure proper strain gauge operation, eliminating any signal drift or inaccuracies.
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The knobs and connectors allow for fine-tuning and configuration during an experiment,
ensuring multiple channels are correctly monitored.
Specimens
The image shows two metal samples equipped with strain
gauges, which are used to measure dimensional changes under
applied force. In each sample, the strain gauge is attached to the
surface with adhesive materials, and fine wires are connected to
transmit electrical signals when dimensions change. This type of
setup is commonly used in tensile testing to determine the
properties of materials under load.
Discussion:
The tensile test conducted on three different materials—steel, aluminum, and gray cast iron—
revealed important insights into their mechanical properties.
Steel demonstrated high strength, with an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of approximately 777
MPa and a true fracture strength exceeding 1030 MPa. These values highlight its ability to
withstand high stress before fracturing. The high modulus of toughness (6.52 J/m³) and percent
elongation (42.12%) also suggest significant ductility, meaning steel can absorb a large amount of
energy before failure. However, the significant reduction in area (49.57%) indicates that necking
occurred before the material fractured, which is typical for ductile materials.
Aluminum, in contrast, showed much lower UTS at around 478 MPa and a true fracture strength of
725 MPa, indicating a lower load-bearing capacity compared to steel. Its ductility, while still
considerable, was less than steel's, with a percent elongation of 22.68%. The modulus of
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toughness (50.1 J/m³) was also significantly lower, reinforcing that aluminum absorbs less energy
before failure. This suggests aluminum is more suitable for applications where moderate strength
and high corrosion resistance are required.
Gray cast iron, a brittle material, exhibited much lower mechanical properties, with a UTS of only
243 MPa and a very low modulus of toughness (0.371 J/m³).
The percent elongation was negligible, indicating that gray cast iron fractures almost immediately
upon reaching its tensile limit. This brittle behavior is typical for cast iron and aligns with its
applications in structures requiring compressive rather than tensile strength.
When analyzing the results from the steel specimen with strain gauges, the calculated Young's
modulus was around 69.86 GPa, which is lower than the expected 200 GPa for standard steel. This
discrepancy could stem from several experimental factors, such as misalignment of the strain
gauges, incorrect calibration, or material inconsistencies. However, the Poisson's ratio (0.33) was
consistent with standard values for steel, indicating that the lateral strain measurements were
accurate.
Conclusion:
The tensile test results for steel, aluminum, and gray cast iron clearly illustrate the differences in
their mechanical behavior. Steel showed superior strength and ductility, making it suitable for
high-stress applications. Aluminum, while less strong, displayed moderate ductility and
toughness, making it an excellent material for lightweight and corrosion-resistant applications.
Gray cast iron, as expected, performed poorly in tension due to its brittleness, reinforcing its use in
applications where compressive forces dominate.
The experimental values for Young’s modulus and Poisson's ratio for steel were relatively close to
standard values, although the significant difference in Young's modulus suggests that
improvements in the experimental setup could lead to more accurate measurements. This report
highlights the importance of understanding material properties in engineering applications and
how tensile tests can help in selecting appropriate materials for different structural requirements.
II. https://amesweb.info/Materials/Youngs-Modulus-of-Steel.aspx
III. https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=101021
IV. https://www.steel.org.au/getattachment/0aa90961-ead4-449d-a7a5-4831b5d6e747/Range-and-
properties-of-open-sections-_bk122.pdf