LAB 1

FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN

MEKANIKAL DAN PEMBUATAN
UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
BMMM 2303 SOLID MECHANICS

LAB SHEET 1

TENSILE TEST

Learning LO2 Identify and display appropriate experimental techniques in

Outcome (LO): mechanics of material through laboratory experiments.

Program PO5 Ability to select and apply appropriate techniques, resources and
Outcome: modern engineering tools, with an understanding of their limitations.

Synopsis: This lab activity will enrich students’ knowledge on tensile test. Students are
exposed to the concept of mechanical tests that can be used to determine the
mechanical behaviour and properties of a material..

Related Lecture’s 1. Stress (Topic 1)

Topic:
2. Strain (Topic 2)

3. Mechanical properties of Material (Topic 3)

Prepared by: Dr Olawale Friday Ifayefunmi Date: 20 Apr 2020

Approved by Dr Muhammad Ilman Hakimi Chua Bin Date

LM/SLM/HOD Abdullah

QMS : REVISION RECORDS

Revision Date Approved by

Description Prepared by :
No (DD/MM/YY) LM/SLM/HOD:
1.0 THEORY
When a sample of metal with the original gauge length (L 0) as shown in Figure 1 (a) is subjected to a
uniaxial tensile load (P), deformation and elongation (L) of the metals occurs as shown in Figure 1(b).
If the metal returns to its original dimensions, particularly when the tensile load/force is released before
reaching its elastic limit, the metal is said to have undergone elastic deformation. The amount of
elastic deformation a metal can undergo is small, since during elastic deformation the metal atoms are
displaced from their original positions but not to the extent that they take up new positions. Thus, when
the force on a metal that has been elastically deformed is released or removed, the metal atoms return
to their original position and the metal takes back its original shape. If the metal is subjected to a tensile
load beyond the elastic limit or being deformed to such an extent that it cannot fully recover its original
dimensions, it is said to have undergone plastic deformation. During plastic deformation, the metal
atoms are permanently displaced from their original position and take up new positions. The ability of
some metals to be deformed plastically, without fracture is one of the most useful engineering
properties of metals. In metal forming industry, this plastically deformed material is also used to define
the strain-hardening characteristics of the material.

The tensile test is used to obtain the stress-strain diagram where mechanical properties and
overall behaviour of the metals and alloys may be determined. During the test, the sample is subjected
to the tensile load at a constant rate and it is pulled until failure occurs. The data of load against
elongation obtained from the tensile test can be converted to engineering stress-strain data, and a
graph of engineering stress versus engineering strain can be plotted.
 P
–––––

Lo
L

Fig.1(a)P = 0 Fig.1(b) P ≠ 0

Mechanical properties of metals and alloys that are of engineering importance for the structural design
and metal forming purposes and can be determined from the tensile test results are:

1. Modulus of elasticity
For the elastic region of the engineering stress-strain curve and based on the Hooke's law,
modulus of elasticity E, is defined as;

= (∆P/∆L)(Lo/Ao) (1)
where DP/DL represents the slope of the elastic region of the load vs elongation graph. L o
is the original gage length of the test specimen and ∆L = changes in elongation for the
elastic region (= L - Lo).

2. Yield strength of the material

The yield strength or yield stress of the test material is given by;

(2)

where = load at yield point and = original cross-sectional area (within the gauge
length and before load P is applied). It is a very important property for use in the design of
the structure or engineering components based on the elastic theories of failure. It is also
a point where the tested material begins to experience yielding or plastic deformation.

Since most metallic alloys fails to show a clear or well-defined yield point on the stress-
strain curve, where elastic strain ends and plastic strain begins, then the yield strength of
these type of materials are chosen when a definite amount of plastic strain has occurred.
Normally, a point when 0.2 percent plastic strain has taken place during the tensile test is
defined as a yield strength of such materials as recommended by the American Society for
 Testing and Materials (ASTM), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or
British/European (BS/EN) standards. This is also known as a proof stress or strength of the
material.

3. Ultimate tensile strength

The ultimate tensile strength is the maximum strength reached in the engineering stress-
strain curve. This is also called simply the tensile strength.

(3)
where, Pult = Ultimate load (the highest load) as given by the load – elongation graph.
When the material achieved its ultimate tensile strength, the test specimen develops a
localized decrease in cross sectional area (commonly called as necking) the engineering
stress will decrease with increasing strain until fracture occurs.

4. Fracture strength
The engineering fracture strength, sf, is obtained from the load at fracture point, P f, which
is not necessarily the highest load reached during the test.

sf = Pf / Ao
For a very brittle materials such as glass or ceramics based materials, su = sf.

5. Percent of elongation
It is the amount of elongation (or deformation in its general term) that a tensile specimen
undergoes during tensile test which represents the degree of ductility of a material. In
general the higher the percent elongation, then it shows that the tested material has a
higher level of ductility.
Percent of elongation, %∆L = 100(Lf – Lo)/Lo (4)
Lf = Final gauge length of the specimen.

6. Percentage reduction in cross-sectional area

The ductility of a material can also be expressed in terms of the percent reduction in area.
Percent reduction in area %∆RA = 100(Ao-Af)/Ao (5)

Percentage of elongation and percentage of reduction in area are also two material properties
that are normally used to describe the “formability properties” of the materials especially in the
field of metal forming. Generally, the ability of a material to undergo deformation when
subjected to an applied load may be defined through these values.

2.0 EQUIPMENTS/ EXPERIMENT APPARATUS/ CONSUMABLE MATERIALS

 Figure 2 Tensile tester

As shown in Figure 2;
1. Machine base (1) with hand grip (11)
2. Support with cross head (2)
3. Load frame with upper (3) and lower cross-member (4)
4. Hydraulic system consisting of a main cylinder (5) and a master cylinder with a hand wheel (6)
5. Force display (7)
6. Elongation display via a dial gauge (8)
7. Gripping heads (9) with specimen (10)

3.0 PROCEDURES/ METHODOLOGY

The test device is set up as follows:

1. Untwist the hand wheel on the master cylinder as far as it will go and move the load frame to its
lower position.
2. If this is not yet done, insert the gripping heads in the upper cross-member and the cross-head.
a) Screw down the gripping head with the short bolt at the bottom and with the pressure pad (a).
b) Gripping head with long bolt at the top (b).
3. Insert the required tensile specimen as shown in Figure 3
a) Screw the specimen into the lower gripping head by hand as far as the end stop.
b) Screw the sample into the upper gripping head as far as the end stop, by rotating the
 gripping head itself.
c) Tighten the nut on the upper gripping head by hand until the gripping head is seated without
slack in the upper cross-member.

Figure 3 Procedure of fitting the specimen

4. Adjust the dial gauge as shown in Figure 3

a) Push the dial gauge upwards on the support bar until the tracer pin is touching the driver.
b) Push further up the dial gauge and pre-stress to 8 mm.
c) Lightly pre-stress the sample using the hand wheel until the pointer on the force display
moves. This compensates slack.
d) Set the rotating scale on the dial gauge to zero.
e) Set the maximum pointer on the force display to zero.
f) Set force-measuring system to zero by simultaneously pressing (1) and (2) on force display
(Figure 4).
 Figure 4: Force indicator

5. Performing experiment;
Slowly and constantly load the sample by rotating the hand wheel.
a) Application of the force should be extended over a period of 5~10 minutes.
b) It is essential to avoid sudden or jerky load application of force.
c) Observe the dial gauge. Read the force from the display every 0.1 mm and make a note of it
with the corresponding extension. From 1 mm extension, the reading interval can be
extended to 0.2 mm.
d) Monitor the sample and note when constriction begins. From now on, the sample will no
longer increase, but instead, will tend to decrease.
e) ATTENTION! Don’t be startled! Particularly with steel, rupture of the sample occurs with a
loud bang.
f) Remove the sample from the gripping heads.
g) Twist back the hand wheel on the master cylinder as far as it will go and move the load frame
down.

6. Repeat the above procedure for other specimens.

4.0 RESULTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
Type of material:

Initial dimensions of specimen (before load P is applied):

Original Gauge Length (Lo): 104.52 mm

Average Original Diameter (Do): 10.03 mm

Final dimensions of specimen (after fracture):

Final gauge length (Lf) : 109.69 mm

Final diameter (Df) : 6.86mm (*)

Note (*): In order to obtain this data (*), the fractured specimen need to be reconnected closely,
before the final diameter (Df) at the necking zone may be measured.

Table 1 Tensile Test Raw Data

Elongation Test Load Observation Elongation Test Load Observation
(mm) (kN) (mm) (kN)
0.2 3.1 3.4 25.0
0.4 6.2 3.6 25.1
0.6 10.0 3.8 25.2
0.8 14.4 4.0 25.3
1.0 19.2 4.2 25.4
1.2 23.6 4.4 25.4
1.4 24.1 4.6 25.6
1.6 24.4 4.8 25.5
1.8 24.2 5.0 25.6
2.0 24.4 5.2 25.7
2.2 24.6 5.4 25.5
2.4 24.5 5.6 25.4
2.6 24.7 5.8 25.1
2.8 24.8 6.0 24.5
3.0 24.9 6.2 24.1
3.2 25.2 6.4 23.7
6.6 23.0
6.8 22.5
 7.0 21.6
7.2 21.0
7.4 20.5
7.6 19.6
7.8 19.0
8.0 18.2

Elongation Test Load Observation Elongation Test Load Observation

(mm) (kN) (mm) (kN)
Table 2 : Calculated results of the tensile test

No Mechanical properties Results (Units)

1 Modulus of Elasticity, E
2 Yield Strength, sy
3 Ultimate tensile strength, sult
4 Fracture strength, sf
5 Ductility: Based on %EL
6 Ductility: Based on %RA

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
1. Based on the measured data shown in Table 1, plot the overall graph of Load P (kN) versus
Elongation ∆L (mm) for each specimen. Indicate and label this graph with the important
parameters such as yield and ultimate points, elastic and plastic regions and the fracture point.
Calculate sy and sult from Eqs. (2) and (3).
2. Plot another graph for the elastic region only and from the slope of the straight line of this
graph, determine the modulus of elasticity (E) for each specimen by using Eq. (1).
3. By using Eq. (4) and Eq. (5), calculate the percentage of elongation and reduction of area of
the fractured specimen.
4. Draw the fractured surface of each specimen and briefly explain of your examination of this
surface.
N.B All calculations for this laboratory work must be shown under this section of the lab report and
recorded as shown in Table 2

5.0 DISCUSSION
For discussion, you should answer all questions as follows:

i. Discuss the results of this testing work, especially the mechanical properties and the overall
deformation behaviour of the materials. Give your interpretations of the graphs and relate its to
the behaviour of the ductile or brittle materials. Support your descriptions with the relevant
diagram / figures.
ii. Compare between the experimental and theoretical (as may be obtained from any references /
handbooks) results as defined in this work. Explain the differences.

iii. State the main factors that may be considered as the source of discrepancies / differences
(experiment errors). Justify your answer / arguments.

6.0 CONCLUSION

Give your conclusion of this experiment work / report. Summarize its main findings.
7.0 OTHERS

The report must be prepared as APPENDIX.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Your response to each task will be graded separately based on the checklist attached. To obtain
maximum marks, ensure that your response addresses each of the tasks in the question accordingly.

Assessment checklist for Lab Activity 1

Assessment tasks Mark LO PO C/P/A level

allocation

Procedure (Ability to choose lab 10 LO2 PO5

P1 - Perception
for tensile test and use equipment)

Work Process (Ability to construct 10 LO2 PO5 P2 - Set

and understanding of tensile test
activity)

Work Process (Ability to show 15 LO2 PO5 P4 – Mechanism

data – Fotography skills)

Outcome (Results - Load- 25 LO2 PO5 P4 – Mechanism

displacement data)

Outcome (Explanation of the 15 LO2 PO5 P5 - Complex

results) Overt Response

Outcome (Discussion) 15 LO2 PO5 P5 - Complex

Overt Response

Discipline (Ability to perform lab 10 LO2 PO5 P2 - Set

and safety regulations)

TOTAL 100

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION

1. Answer in ENGLISH .
2. Must include list of references .
3. Submit your assignment ONCE only in a SINGLE file.
4. Submit your assignment ONLINE.
5. Submission date: Week 4
6. This lab report/activity accounts for 5% of the total marks for the course.