Experiment# 17
17.1 Objective:
To draw stress-strain curve for given specimen using Universal Testing Machine.
17.2 Apparatus:
1. Universal Testing Machine
2. Graph paper
3. Material Specimen
4. Vernier calipers
Fig 14.1 Universal testing
machine
17.3 Theory:
Mechanical properties that are important to a design engineer differ from those that are of
interest to the manufacturing engineer.
• In design, mechanical properties such as elastic modulus and yield strength are
important in order to resist permanent deformation under applied stresses. Thus, the
focus is on the elastic properties.
• In manufacturing, the goal is to apply stresses that exceed the yield strength of the
material so as to deform it to the required shape. Thus, the focus is on the plastic
properties.
The tensile test is the best-known test in material testing. It determines tensile strength, one of
the most important properties of material. Furthermore, it is also possible to determine
elongation at fracture as a toughness measurement of the material.
In the tensile test, a mono-axial stress is generated in a material sample. This stress is induced
via external loading of the sample in a longitudinal direction via a tensile force. There is then an
even distribution of direct stress in the test cross-section of the sample. In order to determine
the strength of the material, loading of the sample is slowly and continuously increased until it
fails. The maximum test force occurring; is a measurement of the strength of the material.
Lu
L
Lf
FIG.14.2 Load-Elongation
curve
The primary output from a tensile test is the load vs. elongation curve of the specimen, which is
recorded in real-time using a load cell and an extensometer. This curve is then used to
determine two types of stress-strain curves:
Engineering stress-strain:
These quantities are defined relative to the original area and length of the specimen.
The engineering stress (e) at any point is defined as the ratio of the instantaneous load
or force (F) and the original area (Ao).
F
e
Ao
The engineering strain (e) is defined as the ratio of the change in
length (L-Lo) and the original length L L0 (Lo).
e
L0
Fig 14.3 Engineering stress-strain curve
True stress-strain:
The true stress () uses the instantaneous or actual area of the specimen at any
given point, as opposed to the F original area used in the
engineering values.
A
L
dL L
The true strain (ε) is
Lo
L
ln
Lo defined as the
instantaneous elongation per unit length of
the specimen.
The relationship between the true and engineering values is given by:
e (1 e) ln(1 e)
Note: For a given value of the load and elongation, the true stress is higher than the Eng. Stress,
while the true strain is smaller than the Eng. Strain.
17.4 Procedure: Fig 13.4 True stress-strain curve
1. Mark a gage length on the tensile test specimen using the dial calipers and marker.
2. Measure the diameter of the specimen using dial calipers.
3. Load specimen in the machine grips and remove most of the slack by moving the
lower crosshead.
4. Attach and zero the extensometer; secure it with a lanyard so it will not fall and
break if specimen fracture occurs before the extensometer can be removed.
5. Zero the load indicator and open the right side hydraulic valve.
6. Apply the load and continue to load the sample until it breaks; pay close attention to
the load indicator and record the load at failure.
7. Observe and record the maximum load on the follower needle.
8. Using the dial calipers, measure the final gage length and gage diameter of the
fractured specimen.
(Note: when you calculate the fracture strength, use the fracture area calculated
from the measured final diameter).
17.5 Observations & Calculations:
Initial Length of specimen:
Diameter of specimen:
Area:
Maximum load:
Maximum Stress:
Final length of specimen:
Final diameter of specimen:
From Graph:
Load at yield point :
Load at fracture :
%age elongation: (Change in length/original length)*100
%age reduction in area: {(Ai-Af)/Ai}*100
Stress at yield point:
Stress at fracture (Engineering stress):
True stress at fracture:
17.6 Graph:
17.7 Applications:
17.8 Results & Conclusions:
