LAB 1
FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN
MEKANIKAL DAN PEMBUATAN
UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
BMMP 3573 MATERIAL TESTING AND FRACTURE ANALYSIS
LAB REPORT 1
TENSILE TEST FOR POLYMER
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME DR. NUZAIMAH MUSTAFA / EN. AZIZUL
STUDENT’S NAME MATRIX NO:
S1. MUHAMMAD IKHWAN BIN ZAHURIN B092010214
S2. MUHAMMAD AMAR FAHMI BIN NARMI B092010242
S3. MUHAMMAD AZRI HAZIQ BIN ABDUL AZIZ B092010508
S4. MUHAMMAD SHOFWAN AMRULLAH BIN A. AZIZ B092010237
S5. NURHUDA BINTI SARMAN B092010469
S6. THANESWARAN A/L BALU B092010464
S7. ZULYAIDA SHAERAH BINTI ZUNKEFLI B092020416
ASSESSMENT RUBRICS
GIVEN MARKS
MARK
ASSESSMENT TASK/ITEMS
ALLOCATION S1 S2 S3
1. Procedure (Ability to understand the lab sheet and follow
5
the lab activity)
2. Work Process (Ability to understand how a tensile test is
5
carried out)
3. Outcome (Capable of describing materials and equipment
used, specimen preparation and tensile test experimental 20
procedure)
4. Outcome (Obtaining the desired results of material’s
30
strength)
5. Outcome (Discussion) 15
6. Outcome (Explain and Describe) 15
7. Outcome (Conclusion) 5
8. Discipline (Ability to perform online lab activity and
5
submission)
TOTAL MARKS 100
Approved By: ………………………………………………..…..
(Instructor’s Signature & Stamp)
Date: …………………………………………….........
1.0 PROCEDURES/ METHODOLOGY (20 marks)
1. Provide type of material of the specimens tested and detailed step-by-step description
of how to conduct tensile testing on the polymer specimen in your own words. Where
relevant, provide a picture.
No. Procedure description Picture
1 Students measure the polymer specimen
dimension according to ASTM D638.
2 Measurement data were recorded in the table
provided by following specimen Type 1.
3 Mark the test specimen at its gauge length and
dividers that are equally in spacing with marker.
Specimen test setup and running test.
No. Procedure description Picture
1 Open the trapezium X software and select the
Open Method option.
2 Before running the lab, configure the necessary
parameters.
3 Click the Specimen button, then select the
parameter that has been configured.
4 Place the specimen in the clamp at the Universal
Testing Machine (100kN).
5 Before starting the machine, calibrate the force to
zero.
6 After that, begin the tensile test.
Flowchart diagram included to illustrate this experiment.
Start
Measure the specimen in accordance
with the ASTM standard.
Enter the measurement into the table
provided.
Make an outline of the measured area
for the afterwards measurement.
Start the Trapezium X software.
Configure the needed parameter in
the software.
Start the tensile test by clamping the
polymer specimen.
End
2.0 RESULTS (30 marks)
1. Attached image of the both specimens tested and its dimensions (before and after test)
(10 marks).
Before After
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Polypropylene (PP) Polypropylene (PP)
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
No Item Dimensions (mm)
Before After
1 Wc 6.03 3.30
2 WO 18.90 18.90
3 T 3.10 3.00
4 G 49.00 68.05
5 L 50.00 69.05
6 D 63.01 85.89
7 LO 113.01 135.67
Polypropylene (PP)
No Item Dimensions (mm)
Before After
1 Wc 12.84 5.15
2 WO 18.72 18.72
3 T 3.14 3.12
4 G 49.00 95.05
5 L 50.00 96.05
6 D 114.32 171.77
7 LO 164.32 222.40
2. Attach the tensile test report obtained from the test.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
2
Polypropylene (PP)
6
3. Based on the tensile test data, determine the specimen properties listed below. Show
how you got at the answer from the stress strain graph and calculation (20 marks).
HDPE PP
a) Yield Strength. 12MPa 13MPa
b) Ultimate Tensile 26.3847MPa 19.1909MPa
Strength.
c) Young’s Modulus. 12MPa/2 = 6MPa 13MPa/6 = 2.17MPa
d) Elongation. 135.67mm - 113.01mm 222.40mm - 164.32mm
= 22.66mm = 56.08mm
(22.66mm/113.01mm) x 100% (56.08mm/164.32mm) x 100%
= 20.05% = 34.13%
3.0 DISCUSSION (30 marks)
Based on your experimental results.
1) Write your own discussions about this experiment (not less than 200 words) (10 marks).
Based on this lab experiment, we have been 2 specimen which is HDPE and
Polypropylene using tensile test. Both of this specimen have different grain compression.
From this experiment, we learned how to setup the parameter on the Universal Testing
Machine which maximum load is 100kN. We have use 2 different material which is
different characteristics and it also will give different result. As we know HDPE is brittle
type and Polypropylene is ductile type but this experiment turned out to be unexpected.
Polypropylene material going through the tensile test in great result. This shows correct
evidence that polypropylene is a ductile type. For the next test is HDPE and we know it
is brittle but from the result shown, the material almost ductile. This discussion can
conclude maybe the error while moulding process when it change from polypropylene to
HDPE material, polypropylene material not cleaned properly. This will result in
specimens with unexpected materials. From the graph generated form on the Trapezium
X software, we can conclude that both of the material developed necking but only
polypropylene not break apart and HDPE break with slow result. The highest ultimate
tensile strength is HDPE with 26.385MPa while polypropylene got 19.191MPa only.
2) Discuss the differences in material characteristics between the two tested samples (5
marks).
HDPE is a very strong polyethylene with excellent tensile strength, stiffness, and impact
resistance because of its molecules closely are packed together. HDPE is also
chemically resistant to the UV-resistant. In addition, HDPE is also a very versatile
material that is simple to work with. While propylene is formed through the polymerization
of propylene monomer units. Also, polypropylene is suitable for hotter conditions since it
can endure higher temperatures. Due to its semi-crystalline structure and excellent
flexural strength, this material is reasonably cheap and suitable for a wide range of uses.
3) Answer ALL the following questions : (15 marks)
a) Explain elastic deformation versus plastic deformation (2 marks).
• Elastic Deformation – The deformation cause is reversible and the
deformation disappears after the removal of applied force.
• Plastic Deformation – The deformation irreversible and the object stays
even after the removal of the applied force.
b) Describe the relationship between load-extension (elongation) and stress-
strain. (2 marks)
The load-elongation curve will have the same form as the engineering stress-
strain curve since the stress and strain are calculated by dividing the load and
elongation by constant factors. The terms for the two curves are frequently
used as one term.
c) Illustrate and explain how the specimen behaved along the engineering
stress-strain curve from the start of the tensile test until fracture. (5 marks)
Note: Draw the specimen behaviors at each region of elastic deformation,
plastic deformation, necking, and fracture (assuming the specimen is made
of ductile material and provides the stress-strain curve to help in the
explanation).
Specimen Explanations Pictures
behaviors
Elastic Elastic deformation is when object
deformation
that can change due to stretching,
twisting, compression and bending,
but once released, they return to
their original shape.
Plastic The material does not return to its
deformation
original shape when the force is
removed.
Necking Necking is a mode of tensile
deformation where relatively large
amounts of strain localize
excessively in a small region of the
material
Fracture The separation of an object or
material into two or more pieces
under the action of stress.
d) Analyze the fracture of the samples shown in Figure d1 and describe the
type of fracture for each. (2 marks)
(a) (b)
Figure d1.
a) Ductile fracture
• The sample shown on the left is an example of ductile fracture.
• The fracture of the sample with large plastic deformation
before fracture.
• When plastic deformation reaches a specific limit, ductile
fracture is brought on by the increasing loss of material
stiffness.
b) Brittle fracture
• The sample shown on the right is an example of brittle
fracture.
• The fracture of the sample has little to no plastic deformation
before failing.
• The fracture surface of a brittle failure is usually reasonably
smooth.
e) Describe the material behavior characteristics that the sample in Figure
d1(a) and (b) experienced during these fractures. (4 marks)
D1 (a)
• A fracture type known as a ductile fracture is one that section focuses
plastic deformation or necking. This typically happens before the
fracture actually occurs.
• In contrast to a brittle fracture, a ductile fracture absorbs enormous
quantities of energy and propagates more slowly before breaking.
• Toughness is the capacity of material to withstand generation and
spreading of cracks.
D1 (b)
• A fracture type known as a brittle fracture. There is usually little to
no indication of material deformation prior to failure.
• Brittle materials are characterized by little deformation, poor
capacity to resist impact and vibration of load, high compressive
strength, and low tensile strength
• The majority of non-metallic inorganic materials are brittle
materials.
7.0 CONCLUSION
Write the conclusion based on the discussion and experiment results.
In conclusion, the lab experiment on HDPE and Polypropylene using tensile testing yielded
unexpected results. While HDPE is known to be brittle and Polypropylene is known to be
ductile, the experiment showed that Polypropylene exhibited better tensile properties than
expected, while HDPE showed unexpected ductility. This could potentially be attributed to
errors in the molding process, such as inadequate cleaning between material changes. The
graphs generated from the Trapezium X software showed that both materials developed
necking, but only Polypropylene did not break apart, while HDPE exhibited slower failure. The
ultimate tensile strength was higher in HDPE at 26.385 MPa compared to Polypropylene at
19.191 MPa. Further investigation and refinement of the experimental setup may be needed
to obtain more accurate results in future studies. Overall, this experiment highlights the
importance of careful material handling and processing in tensile testing to ensure reliable and
expected outcomes.
7.0 REFERENCES
1. https://www.bu.edu/moss/mechanics-of-materials-
strain/#:~:text=Deformation%20is%20a%20measure%20of,the%20object%20upon%20loading%20it.
2. https://www.bpf.co.uk/plastipedia/polymers/PP.aspx
3.
