TENSILE TESTING LAB REPORT
Tensile Testing
Abstract
This laboratory report details the tensile testing of aluminum and brass specimens to
compare their mechanical properties under uniaxial tensile stress until failure. The objective
was to perform tensile tests to understand the behavior of these materials when subjected
to stress and to interpret the significance of their stress-strain curves. The test was
conducted using a benchtop tensile testing machine, the measurement of the initial
dimensions was taken, and the force and elongation were monitored throughout the test
and recorded. The resulting stress-strain curve highlighted aluminum’s higher ductility and
lower yield strength. While brass demonstrated higher stiffness and strength. The stress-
strain curve provided a clear visual representation of each material’s behavior in the elastic
and plastic deformation phases, including their respective yield points and ultimate tensile
strengths. This experiment’s findings are vital for understanding material behavior under
stress and are instrumental in selecting materials for engineering applications.
1|Page
Table of Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………Pg4
Materials and Method…………………………………………………………………………………….………Pg 5
Results………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…Pg8
Discussion……………………………………………………………………………………………………….………Pg10
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………….………..Pg12
References………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Pg 13
Appendix………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………...Pg 14
2|Page
INTRODUCTION
Tensile testing, a fundamental aspect of material science and engineering, is employed to
ascertain how materials respond when subjected to tension. This mechanical test is pivotal
in determining the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of a material, which is the maximum
stress it can withstand while being stretched or pulled before failure.
During a tensile test, a specimen is incrementally loaded until it fractures, and both the force
applied and the elongation of the specimen are meticulously recorded. The force (F) applied
is measured in newtons (N), and the elongation (∆L) is the change in length observed during
the test. These measurements are crucial as they are used to calculate two primary material
properties: stress (σ) and strain (ε).
Stress (σ) is defined as the force exerted per unit area of the specimen and is calculated
using the formula:
σ=A/F
where (A) is the cross-sectional area of the specimen.
Strain (ε), on the other hand, is the measure of deformation experienced by the specimen,
expressed as the change in length over the original length, calculated as:
ϵ=L0/ΔL
where (L0) is the initial length of the specimen.
The relationship between stress and strain is graphically represented by a stress-strain curve,
which is a critical tool for understanding the elastic and plastic deformation behaviors of
materials. The curve typically features distinct regions, including the proportional limit,
elastic limit, yield point, and point of fracture.
Tensile testing procedures and standards, such as ASTM E8/E8M and ISO 6892, ensure
consistency and reliability in the results. These standards dictate the dimensions and
preparation of the test specimen, the testing machine setup, and the specific procedure to
be followed during the test.
In conclusion, tensile testing is an indispensable technique in the field of materials science,
providing essential data that aids in predicting how materials will behave under various
conditions. The insights gained from tensile tests are crucial for material selection, quality
control, and ensuring safety in material applications.
3|Page
Materials and Method
The tensile testing experiment was conducted using specimens made of aluminum and
brass. The equipment setup included a benchtop tensiometer, which is essential for
measuring the tensile strength of materials. A Vernier caliper was utilized to accurately
measure the diameter and length of the specimens. The load gauge was a critical
component for recording the force applied during the test, while the strain gauge was
connected to the tensiometer to monitor the strain experienced by the specimens.
In the initial phase of the experiment, the specimens’ original diameter ((d_0)) and gauge
length ((l_0)) were meticulously measured. The tensiometer was then adjusted to account
for the expected elongation and reduction in the area of the specimens. Ensuring the correct
setup, the specimens were mounted in the tensiometer, with careful attention paid to the
alignment of the beam and scale for precise force application.
The testing phase involved a controlled stretching of the specimens, achieved either through
the automated operation of the tensiometer’s motor or by manual loading at a uniform rate.
This process was documented by plotting a load-elongation diagram on the paper, which
also highlighted the maximum load the specimens could withstand before failure. The
occurrence of necking at the gauge length was observed, indicating the point of maximum
stress concentration, materials ductility, and the onset of plastic deformation.
Post-testing, the fracture surfaces were examined to classify the type of fracture. The final
gauge length and diameter were measured after aligning the fractured surfaces, allowing for
the calculation of the percentage reduction in the cross-sectional area.
4|Page
Materials and Method figures
Fig. 1 Aluminum Specimen Fig. 2 Brass Specimen
Fig. 3 Benchtop tensiometer fig. 4 Venier Caliper
Fig 5. Load Gauge
5|Page
Fig 7. Measuring the initial diameter of
Fig 6. Measuring the initial length of aluminum aluminium specimen.
specimen.
Fig 9.
Fig 8. Brass Aluminium
specimen specimentensile
undergoing after failure.
test
6|Page
Results
The following results are obtained from the experimentation of the brass and aluminum
specimens.
Brass Specimen Brass Specimen
Load Enigineering Engineering stress original diameter (mm) 5
(kN) Strain (MPa) original gauge length (mm) 37.5
0.00 0.00 0.00 final gauge length (mm) 44.48
2.67 0.25 135.98 diameter at neck (mm) 3
3.89 0.50 198.12 Original Area (mm square) 19.63
4.28 0.75 217.98 Final Area (mm square) 7.07
4.51 1.00 229.69 Breaking stress (Mpa) 194.04
4.75 1.25 241.92 Fracture stress (MPa) 539.00
4.95 1.50 252.10 Percent elongation 19%
5.16 1.75 262.80 Percent reduction of area 64%
5.29 2.00 269.42
5.40 2.25 275.02
5.47 2.50 Aluminium Specimen
278.58
Load
5.62 Engineering
2.75 Strain Engineering Stress
286.22
(kN)
5.66 3.00 (Mpa)
288.26
0.00
5.70 0.00
3.25 0.00
290.30
0.66
5.80 0.25
3.50 33.61
295.39
1.02
5.86 0.50
3.75 51.95
298.45
1.36
5.89 0.75
4.00 69.26
299.98
1.62
5.90 1.00
4.25 82.51
300.48
1.82
5.94 1.25
4.50 92.69
302.52
2.03
5.98 1.50
4.75 103.39
304.56
2.09
5.99 1.75
5.00 106.44
305.07
2.24 2.00 114.08 Aluminium Specimen
5.97 5.25 304.05
2.36
5.98 2.25
5.50 120.19
304.56 original diameter 5
2.48
5.95 2.50
5.75 126.31
303.03 original gauge length 37.24
2.61
5.93 2.75
6.00 132.93
302.01 final gauge length 44.82
2.63
5.80 3.00
6.25 133.94
295.39 diameter at neck 2
2.63
5.70 3.25
6.50 133.94
290.30 original area 19.63
2.68
5.51 3.50
6.75 136.49
280.62 final area 3.14
2.71
5.24 3.75
7.00 138.02
266.87 Breaking stress (Mpa) 61.12
2.76
4.89 4.00
7.25 140.57
249.05 Fracture stress (MPa) 381.97
2.75
4.37 4.25
7.50 140.06
222.56 Percent elongation 20%
2.81
3.81 4.50
7.75 143.11
194.04 Percent reduction of area 84%
2.79 4.75 142.09
2.78 5.00 141.58
2.76 5.25 140.57
2.70 5.50 137.51
2.60 5.75 132.42
2.52 6.00 128.34
2.32 6.25 118.16
7 |
2.08P a g e 6.50 105.93
1.92 6.75 97.78
1.57 7.00 79.96
1.20 7.25 61.12
Discussion
Brass Stress-Strain curve
350.00
300.00
250.00
200.00
δ (MPa)
150.00
100.00
50.00
0.00
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00
Figure
8|Page
Brass Stress-Strain curve
350.00
300.00
250.00
200.00
δ (MPa)
150.00
100.00
50.00
0.00
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00
Figure
The tensile test results for aluminium and brass specimens reveal distinct mechanical
properties characteristic of each material. The stress-strain curves, which serve as graphical
representations of these properties, allow for a comparative analysis of the materials’
behaviour under tensile loading.
Aluminium Specimen: The aluminium stress-strain curve typically exhibits a clear elastic
region where the material deforms linearly with increasing stress, obeying Hooke’s Law. This
is followed by a plastic deformation phase where the material yields and undergoes
permanent deformation. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) for aluminium is reached at the
peak of the curve, indicating the maximum stress the material can withstand before necking
occurs. The fracture point, where the material ultimately fails, is at a lower stress level,
signifying a decrease in the material’s ability to resist deformation due to necking.
From the data provided, the aluminium specimen demonstrated considerable ductility,
evidenced by a percent elongation of 20% and a percent reduction of area of 84%. These
values suggest that aluminium is highly formable, making it suitable for applications
requiring material flexibility.
Brass Specimen: The brass stress-strain curve also shows an initial elastic region, followed by
plastic deformation. However, brass typically has a higher UTS than aluminium, indicating a
greater resistance to deformation under tensile loads. The fracture stress of brass is also
higher, reflecting its ability to sustain higher stress before failure.
9|Page
The brass specimen showed a percent elongation of 19% and a percent reduction of area
of 64%, indicating good ductility, though slightly less than that of aluminium. Brass is known
for its wear resistance and corrosion resistance, alongside moderate formability.
Comparative Analysis: When comparing the two materials, brass exhibits higher strength
and fracture stress but slightly lower ductility compared to aluminium. These differences are
attributed to the materials’ intrinsic characteristics and microstructural composition, which
influence their response to tensile stress.
In conclusion, the tensile test data for aluminium and brass specimens highlight the
materials’ suitability for different engineering applications. Aluminium’s high ductility and
lower strength make it ideal for applications where ease of shaping is crucial, while brass’s
higher strength and good ductility suit applications where higher resistance to deformation
is necessary.
Conclusion
The tensile testing of aluminium and brass specimens has provided valuable insights into
their mechanical properties and behaviours under stress. The aluminium specimen
demonstrated high ductility, with a significant degree of elongation and reduction in area
before fracture, indicative of its suitability for applications requiring flexibility and
formability. The brass specimen, while less ductile than aluminium, exhibited higher tensile
strength and fracture stress, making it more appropriate for applications where higher loads
are expected.
The stress-strain curves for both materials highlighted the differences in mechanical
behaviour, with aluminium showing greater deformation under stress and brass maintaining
higher resistance to deformation. These findings emphasize the importance of material
selection based on the specific requirements of the application, considering factors such as
strength, ductility, and overall performance under load.
In summary, the experiment underscores the necessity of understanding the mechanical
properties of materials to make informed decisions in engineering design. The selection of
materials for components subjected to tensile loads must align with the desired balance of
strength and ductility to ensure optimal performance and safety in service.
10 | P a g e
References
mechanics-and-strength-of-materials. (nd). Retrieved from mathalino:
https://mathalino.com/reviewer/mechanics-and-strength-of-materials/stress-strain-diagram
metals-tensile-testing-concepts-equations-and-theory. (n.d). Retrieved from Adment:
https://www.admet.com/blog/metals-tensile-testing-concepts-equations-and-theory/
October 6, 2. b. (2022, October 6). What is elastic and proportional limit? Retrieved from physics-
network: https://physics-network.org/what-is-elastic-and-proportional-limit/
Tensile Test Experiment. (n.d). Retrieved from Michigan Tech:
https://www.mtu.edu/materials/k12/experiments/tensile/
Tensile Testing . (n.d). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensile_testing
What is Tensile testing. (n.d). Retrieved from Twi:
https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/what-is-tensile-
testing#:~:text=Tensile%20Testing%20is%20a%20form,most%20common%20mechanical
%20testing%20techniques.
What is Tensile Testing? The Theory and Applications. (n.d). Retrieved from AzoMaterials:
https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5551
Xometry, T. (2023, August 08). Proportional Limit: Definition, Concept, Characteristics, and
Significance. Retrieved from Xometry:
https://www.xometry.com/resources/materials/proportional-limit/
11 | P a g e
Matmatch. (n.d.). Ductility Measurement: Reduction of Area. Retrieved from Matmatch.
BYJU’S. (n.d.). Tensile Stress - Definition, Formula, Example, Unit, Meaning. Retrieved from BYJU’S.
Xometry. (n.d.). Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS): Definition, How It Works, Calculation, and
Example. Retrieved from Xometry.
ThoughtCo. (2019, November 12). What Is Young’s Modulus? Definition and Equation. Retrieved
from ThoughtCo.
Callister, W.D. and Rethwisch, D.G. (2018). Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction. John
Wiley & Sons.
Dieter, G.E. (2008). Mechanical Metallurgy. McGraw-Hill Education.
ASTM International. (n.d.). ASTM E8/E8M-16a:
Appendix
Calculations
12 | P a g e
