TENSILE TEST LAB REPORT
AE2130
Aircraft Materials and Manufacturing Methods I
Written by:
Frentsen Limor
Lightweight Structure Laboratory
Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Institut Teknologi Bandung
2019
TEAM MEMBER ROLE
No NIM Name Role
1. 13618014 Tiara Putri Mustikawati Documentation
2. 13618040 Frentsen Limor Test Machine Operator
3. 13618057 Steven Fabian Koswara Computer Operator
4. 13618106 Nisrina Mozza K. Ariseno Computer Operator, Test
Mschine Operator
5. 13618116 Wahyu Widhi Dyatmika Specimen Measurement,
Documentation
6. 13618125 Tara Mawikere Test Machine Operator
1. Preliminary
This lab work is a part of Aircraft Materials and Manufacturing Methods I course
which contains the introduction of aircraft materials and manufacturing methods.
This lab work was done at Friday, 20th September 2019. The goal of this experiment
is to test and obtain the Al-6061-T4 strength through stress-strain curvature
analysis. Also some mechanical properties like E (Young Modulus), Yield Stress,
UTS ( Ultimate Tensile Strength), and Brinnel Hardness.
2. Theoretical Background
In the class, we already learn about the mechanical properties of materials.
Mechanical properties are is a qualitative or quantitative measure of response
of materials to externally imposed conditions. There are many mechanical
properties, some that we learn are:
1. Yield strength (𝜎𝑦)
The yield strength is defined as the stress at which a predetermined amount of
permanent deformation occurs. The graphical portion of early stages of a tension
test is used to evaluate yield strength. To find yield strength, the predetermined
amount of permanent strain is set along the strain axis of the graph, to the right of
origin (zero). Yield strength also usually occurs at the 0.2 % offset or at the plastic
strain reaches 0.002.
(Source : Module 3 - Mechanical Properties of Materials.pdf)
2. Young’s modulus (E)
Young’s modulus, numerical constant, named for the 18th-century English
physician and physicist Thomas Young, that describes the elastic properties of a
solid undergoing tension or compression in only one direction, as in the case of a
metal rod that after being stretched or compressed lengthwise returns to its original
length. Young’s modulus is a measure of the ability of a material to withstand
changes in length when under lengthwise tension or compression. Sometimes
referred to as the modulus of elasticity, Young’s modulus is equal to the
longitudinal stress divided by the strain. Stress and strain may be described as
follows in the case of a metal bar under tension. Young’s modulus may be
expressed mathematically as
3. Tensile strength (𝜎𝑢)
Tensile strength or UTS is the maximum load or stress that a material can support
without failure or getting fractured when being stretched, divided by the original
cross-sectional area of the material. Tensile strength have dimensions of force per
unit area. On metals, at the tensile strength region, necking begin to occurs
noticeably. For polymers, at the tensile strength region, polymer backbone chains
are aligned and about to break.
(source : Module 3 - Mechanical Properties of Materials.pdf)
4. Ductility (%EL)
Ductility can be defined as a capacity of a material to be deformed permanently
(stretch, bend, etc) in response to a load. Ductility may also defined as a measure of
how much something deforms plastically before fracture. Being ductile means it
can’t be tough, while being tough, means it can’t be ductile.For now atleast. Most
materials that can withstand quite a load, is brittle. Brittle means it cannot
accommodate concentrations of stress because they lack ductility, and therefore
fracture easily. Ductility can be measured with the percent elongation or percent
reduction in area.
(source : Module 3 - Mechanical Properties of Materials.pdf)
5. Resilience (Ur)
The capacity of a material to absorb energy when it is deformed elastically and
then upon unloading to have this energy recovered. Resilience may be calculated as
Modulus of Resilience (Ur) as the strain energy per unit volume required to stress a
material from an unloaded state up to the point of yielding. Mathematically can be
written as :
(source : Module 3 - Mechanical Properties of Materials.pdf)
6. Toughness
The ability of a metal to deform plastically and to absorb energy in the process
before fracture is termed toughness. The emphasis of this definition should be
placed on the ability to absorb energy before fracture.
3. Data and Analysis
a) Stress-Strain Curve
Stress - Strain curve 1st Specimen
350
300
250
Stress (MPa)
200
150
100
50
0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
Strain
Figure 3.1. Stress-Strain Curve for First Specimen
Stress - Strain curve 2nd Specimen
300
250
200
Stress ( MPa)
150
100
50
0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
Strain
Figure 3.2. Stress-Strain Curve for Second Specimen
b) Calculation for E, 𝜎𝑦, 𝜎𝑢 and HB.
Specimen E(GPa) 𝜎𝑦(MPa) 𝜎𝑢 HB
(MPa)
1 4.716 189.28 297.3 86.175
2 6.163 182.01 280.98 81.443
Average 5.4395 185.645 289.14 83.809
c) Plastic Stress-Strain Curvature
Plastic Region
350
300
250
Stress (MPa)
200
150
100
50
0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
Strain
Figure 3.3. Stress-Strain Curve for First Specimen
Plastic Region
300
250
200
Stress (MPa)
150
100
50
0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
Strain
Figure 3.4. Stress-Strain Curve for Second Specimen
d) True Stress-Strain Graph
True Stress-Strain Curve for 1st Specimen
500
400
y = 91.064ln(x) + 501.76
True Stress (MPa)
300
200
100
0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
-100
True Strain
Figure 3.5. True Stress-Strain Curve for First Specimen
True Stress-Strain Curve for 2nd Specimen
400
350 y = 80.836ln(x) + 463.86
300
250
True Stress (MPa)
200
150
100
50
0
-50 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25
-100
True Strain
Figure 3.6. True Stress-Strain Curve for Second Specimen
e) Power Law Equation
n = 0.1034; K=113.6344
f) Al-6061-T4 Mechanical Properties
(http://asm.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MA6061T4)
The difference between reference’s mechanical properties and lab’s results
may happen due to:
a. We operated without using the extensometer.
An extensometer is a device that is used to measure changes in the
length of an object. Using an extensometer will result in a more
reliable and accurate data gained. Without it, the data received
become inaccurate.
b. Inexact Al Al-6061-T4 compositions
(http://asm.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MA60
61T4)
We don’t know the specimens composition whether it is as stated
above or not. Different composition may result in different
mechanical properties.
c. Manufacturing defects
Manufacturing defects as for example, microcrack, dents which
cannot be perceived by naked eyes may disrupt the result.
d. Old specimen
The age of specimen can be a factor that brings a different result as it
should be. If left for a quite some time, the specimen could develop
corrosion (Aluminum still can corrodes if left for a long time) that
weakens the strength of the specimen. In result, the result data is
different.
4. Conclusions and Advice
The result of the experiment shows that:
1. The mechanical properties of the materials are :
a. Young’s Modulus
Mechanical properties of a materials that implies solid
stiffness or resistance to elastic deformation
b. Yield strength
as the stress at which a predetermined amount of permanent
deformation occurs
c. Tensile strength
The maximum stress that materials can hold
d. Ductility
as a capacity of a material to be deformed permanently
(stretch, bend, etc) in response to a load.
e. Resilience
The capacity of a material to absorb energy when it is
deformed elastically elastically and then upon unloading to
have this energy recovered.
f. Toughness
The ability of a metal to deform plastically and to absorb
energy in the process before fracture is termed toughness.
2. Al-6061-T4 can be classified as a ductile material because of the curve
shape.
3. The difference between the lab result and the theoretical may be caused
by: The lack of extensometer; Manufacturing defects; Inexact Al-6061-
T4 composition; and The age of specimen.
Some advice that can be used for the reader:
1. Use the extensometer. The use of extensometer can increase the
accuracy in the measurement
2. Check the specimen under microscope for any defects.
3. Use a relatively new specimen
4. Check the composition of the specimen.
5. Be careful when you fasten the bolt which hold the specimen in place.
It needs to be tight in order for it to works properly.
References
[1] ASM Aerospace Specification Metal Inc. Aluminum 6061-T4;
6061-T451 Data Sheet.
[2] https://www.engineersedge.com/material_science/yield_strength.ht
m
[3] https://www.britannica.com/science/Youngs-modulus
[4] http://asm.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MA
606
[5] Tensile Test Module
[6] http://asm.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MA6061T
4
PHOTOS
