Laboratory #2

Tensile Testing Laboratory

March 22, 2012 Due: March 29, 2012

Abstract

The objectives of this lab as stated in the lab handout were to measure properties of steel and aluminum samples. The properties that had to be measured were: Youngs Modulus, Ultimate Strength, Breaking Strength, Proportional Limit, 0.2% Offset Yield Strength, Percent Elongation, and the Percent Area Reduction. Through this lab, Youngs Modulus was calculated using the information gathered in the experiment. Introduction For this lab, the Tinius Olsen strength testing machine was used to apply a load until the specimen broke. The specimens were either made of steel or Aluminum. The Tinius Olsen Tensile Testing Machine was hooked up to a computer with a program called Navigator. The Navigator program was used to make a Stress vs. Strain graph of the sample used under a load. The extensometer was also a separate piece that was put onto the sample in order to measure deflection of the sample. In Figure 1, the sample was under normal conditions before any of the load was put onto it.

Figure 1: Sample before load was applied

In Figure 2, the object had a load applied to it and was just starting to stretch out.

Figure 2: Sample when the load was being applied

Figure 3 was where the sample formed a neck and broke in half.

Figure 3: Sample after breaking point

Procedure Three steel and three aluminum samples were chosen to use in this experiment. First, a punch was used to make marks on the sample in order to make measurements later. Then the sample was rotated 90 degrees and another two inch mark is punched in from the opposite end of the sample. The sample was then threaded into the bottom threads on the Tinius Olsen Tensile Testing machine. Once those are tight, the machine was raised up and the top threads were threaded in. The sample needs to be tight and secure so that the breaking point is as close to the actual as it can get. The Navigator program on the computer was used to measure the stress and strain curve for the sample. The extensometer was then put on the sample which measured the small changes in the deflection. The sample was then tested and brought up to breaking point. The sample started to stretch and a visible neck on the sample was formed. The sample was then brought up to failure and then measurements were taken from it.

a) Youngs Modulus This is the slope of the curve in the elastic region where Hookes Law is valid. Hookes Law is:
Equation 1

b) Ultimate Tensile Strength ( ) This is the maximum stress that is achieved by the sample. c) Breaking Strength ( ) This is the point at which the sample splits in half. On the graph in the results section, this was shown by the line at the end of the graph showing the stress drop off due to the sample breaking. d) Proportional Limit ( ) This is the upper limit of the elastic region where Hookes Law is valid. e) 0.2% Offset Yield Strength This is the offset curve from the slope established by Hookes Law. f) Percent Elongation This is the percent that the sample stretches from the original length.
Equation 2

g) Percent Reduction in Area This is the percent that the area decreases once the sample was loaded and then broke.

Equation 3

Results

Figure 4 shows the stress vs. strain curve for the steel sample and Figure 5 shows the aluminum sample. These are labeled with the measurements that were found in this experiment. The Modulus of Elasticity was found by calculating the slope of the 0.2 percent yield line. The 0.2 percent yield line was automatically generated in the computer based on the graph. The breaking stress was where the sample broke completely in half and the ultimate stress was the greatest load put on the sample before the breaking point.

Figure 4: Stress vs. Strain Steel Sample

Figure 5: Stress vs. Strain Aluminum Sample

Discussion and Conclusions The book value properties of steel and aluminum were found in Appendix B of the Mechanics of Materials textbook. For the steel, the book value for Youngs Modulus is 29 psi. Experimentally, Youngs Modulus was found to be 24.7 psi. Using, Aluminum Alloy 5456H116, Youngs Modulus was 10.4 psi as listed in the book. In the experiment, Youngs Modulus was found to be 9.6 psi. These two numbers could be off due to not knowing the exact alloy of the Aluminum and also with how much the aluminum would bend before it broke.

Appendix A

Table 1: Measured Stress of Aluminum and Steel Samples Modulus Ultimate Yield Breaking of Percent Stress Stress Stress Proportional Elasticity Elongation (ksi) (ksi) (ksi) Limit (ksi) (psi) (%) 126.4 119.6 97.5 106.6 24.7 1.11% 51.2 48.4 36.7 46 9.6 6.05% Percent Area Reduction (%) 57.20% 52%

Steel 3 Aluminum 2