Laboratory Manual
Of
Tensile Test
Materials Engineering
Department
Experiment 2: To determine the Tensile strength of given specimen by using
Universal Testing Machine (UTM).
Objectives :
To conduct tensile test on Mild steel and Aluminium samples and to determine the
following :
Yield strength
Ultimate strength
Breaking stress (Nominal)
Breaking stress (Actual)
Elongation on gauge length
Reduction in area
Proportional limit
Elastic limit.
APPARATUS :
Universal Testing Machine
Mils steel and Aluminium Samples
Vernier Caliper
Schematic Diagram of UTM
Universal Testing Machine (walter + bai), 100 kN capacit
Standard nomenclature of test specimen:
Theory :
When a member is subjected to axial loads within elastic limit, a deformation in length takes
place along the length and the deformation so produced is proportional to the load producing
it. Only if the stress are in the elastic limit. Hook’s law holds good with in the elastic limit of
the material. If a further load is applied when an elastic limit is reached, a permanent
deformation takes place, and the material starts yielding. Stress corresponding to this load is
called yield stress. Further load addition causes a plastic flow of material and finally neck is
formed which result into fracture of the material along the portion. Stress corresponding to
breaking load is called breaking stress and that corresponding that corresponding to max load
to which the material is subjected during the testing is known as ultimate stress. If a load
extension curve is drawn, from the data obtained during a tensile test all above mentioned
specific stress can be calculated easily.
Yield stress: Py / A N/mm2
Ultimate stess: Pu /A N/mm2
Breaking stress (nominal): PB /A N/mm2
Breaking stress (actual): PB /A1 N/mm2
% elongation of gauge length: (𝐿1 – 𝐿/L ) * 100
% reduction of area: (𝐴 − 𝐴1 /A) * 100
Where,
L = original gauge length of the specimen.
L1 = final gauge length of the specimen when
fractured.
A = original cross-section area of the point of
fracture.
A1 = minimum cross-section area at the point of
fracture.
Py = load in kgs at which yielding take place.
Pu = maximum load in tons during the test.
Pb = load in N at which the test piece breaks.
Stress – Strain Diagram
Limit of proportionality is the maximum stress during a test up to which the hook’s law
holds good and this can be obtained from the load extension curve. Similarly, elastic limit is
the max stress up to which the material has elastic behaviour, this can also be obtained from
the above-mentioned curve. In case of mild steel this stress has a value in between the yield
stress and the limit of proportionality. Yield point is not obtained in case of brittle materials
i.e. cast iron.
Test procedure :
Take the Digital Vernier Caliper and set it at zero before start taking reading of the
specimen.
Measure the Gauge diameter, Gauge Length, Total Length, Shoulder Length of each
Aluminium and Mild Steel Sample respectively with the help of Vernier Caliper. The
gauge length will be used only to calculate the %age elongation.
To start the UTM, turn on the water chiller pump and ensure the temperature of the
water to be below 20 ºC.
When the temperature falls well below 20 ºC, turn on the compressor
otherwise wait for the water temperature to drop below 20 ºC.
Turn the main switch of the hydraulic power pack on.
Hydraulic Power pack Display
As we switch on the power pack, the remote control handset and the machine unit
will get turn on.
Remote control handset and control unit
Open the software and turn the flushing pump on using the software which will
help to develop the necessary pressure to hold the specimen.
Install the specimen and close the grips using remote control handset.
Perform the final check on the entire setup.
Set the parameters on the software itself which are necessary for the experiment.
SOFTWARE FOR FEEDING TEST SPECIMEN DATA
Start loading the specimen using the software. A stress strain graph will get generated
on the display window to the computer as the load increases.
Note down the elongation of the specimen.
Note down the yield point, ultimate stress point.
During the test, carefully observe the specimen as it is being deformed, and
observe the change in the shape.
After the specimen fails, remove the specimen pieces from the testing machine.
Make a detailed record of the general features of the fractured surfaces, and
measure the diameter of the specimen at the point of failure.
Observation Table:
[Link]. LOAD (N) ORIGINAL EXTENSIO STRESS STRAIN
GAUGE N (mm) (N/mm2)
LENGTH
(mm)
Calculations:
Maximum Load
Ultimate Tensile Strength (N/mm4) =
Original Cross section Area
Load
Stress (N/mm2) =
Area
Change∈Length
Strain =
Original Length
Stress Below proportional Limit
Young Modulus of Elasticity (N/mm4) =
Corresponding Strain
Load at Limit of Proportionality
Proportional Limit =
Original Area of Cross section
Average diameter of the test piece (mm )
Gauge length of the test piece (mm)
Cross-section area of the test piece (mm2)
Yield load (N)
Yield Load
Yield Strength (N/mm4) =
Original Cross sEction Area
Breaking load (N)
Maximum load (N)
% Elongation (mm)
Distance of fracture from gauge mark (mm)
Diameter of fracture (mm)
Area at fracture (mm2)
Analysis of Results
Tabulate data in your practical notebook as per the table
Plot the stress-strain curve from the table and calculate the modulus of elasticity
by any point of the straight line portion of the curve.
Perform calculations and tabulate the result as required in the object of the experiment.
Your understanding of the results obtained and referred literature in view of the
following.
Behaviour of mild steel and cast iron under test.
Type of fracture for mild steel and cast iron.
Breaking load is less than the maximum load.
Mention the possible source of error, if any
Safety Precautions:
During Testing do not touch samples or components of the machine.
Always Keep sufficient safe distance from the machine while the machine is in loading
condition.
Make sure that the specimen should be properly clamped between the jaws.
In case of any danger, immediately stop the testing machine by pressing the emergency
stop button.
