Tension

ME 4620 02

Submitted By:
Group 01
Nathan McGillivray
Bradley Swords

Submitted On:
4/18/2016

Experiment Description:
In this experiment, standard tensile tests are performed to determine the stress-strain behavior of
multiple samples of two different materials. The two materials used in this experiment are 6061
Aluminum and 4130 Steel. The simple tensile testing is performed using the Instron Tensile
Tester. This machine utilizes an extensometer to measure the strain of the specimen but only to a
limited point for safety. Following the removal of the extensometer, the Instron machine records
the stress and elongation for the specimen until it fractures. The data is saved as an Excel file to
be used to create stress versus strain plots in order to calculate the following values: Youngs
Modulus, Yield Strength, Ultimate Tensile Strength, Strain at Fracture, Percent Elongation, and
Percent Reduction in Cross-Sectional Area.
In addition to the data from the Instron machine, measurements of each specimen are
taken before and after the test. These measurements will be used to calculate Engineering Stress,
True Stress, and Percent Reduction in Cross-Sectional Area. The measurements taken are
illustrated in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1: Diagram of test specimen where G = gage length and D = diameter [1]

After the specimen fractures, the final dimeter is measured at the location of the fracture and the
gage length with the specimen held together. The final diameter is expected to be smaller than
the initial diameter and the gage length to be longer after the fracture. Lastly, from Hookes law,
we also expect to find our stress to be proportional to strain however we need to consider any
imperfections and uncertainties while performing the tests.

Data Collected:

Figure 2: Aluminum Specimen 1 Stress vs. Strain

Figure 3: Aluminum Specimen 1 Stress vs. Strain Line Fit

Figure 4: Aluminum Specimen 1 Stress vs. Extension

Figure 5: Aluminum Specimen 1 Stress vs. Extension Line Fit

Figure 6: Aluminum Specimen 2 Stress vs. Strain

Figure 7: Aluminum Specimen 2 Stress vs. Strain Line Fit

Figure 8: Aluminum Specimen 2 Stress vs. Extension

Figure 9: Aluminum Specimen 2 Stress vs. Extension Line Fit

Figure 10: Aluminum Specimen 3 Stress vs. Strain

Figure 11: Aluminum Specimen 3 Stress vs. Strain Line Fit

Figure 12: Aluminum Specimen 3 Stress vs. Extension

Figure 13: Aluminum Specimen 3 Stress vs. Extension Line Fit

Figures 2-13 show the Stress versus Strain and Stress versus Extension plots for all three
aluminum specimens. Additionally, plots with a trend-line are include for the linear region of
both Strain and Extension plots. By observation, we find the plots produced to follow the trends
expected with a yield strength peak, a linear region, and both strain and extension being
proportional.

Figure 14: Steel Specimen 1 Stress vs. Strain

Figure 15: Steel Specimen 1 Stress vs. Strain Line Fit

Figure 16: Steel Specimen 1 Stress vs. Extension

Figure 17: Steel Specimen 1 Stress vs. Extension Line Fit

Figure 18: Steel Specimen 2 Stress vs. Strain

Figure 19: Steel Specimen 2 Stress vs. Strain Line Fit

10

Figure 20: Steel Specimen 2 Stress vs. Extension

Figure 21: Steel Specimen 2 Stress vs. Extension Line Fit

11

Figure 22: Steel Specimen 3 Stress vs. Strain

Figure 23: Steel Specimen 3 Stress vs. Strain Line Fit

12

Figure 24: Steel Specimen 3 Stress vs. Extension

Figure 25: Steel Specimen 3 Stress vs. Extension Line Fit

Figures 14-25 show the Stress versus Strain and Stress versus Extension plots for all three steel
specimens. Additionally, plots with a trend-line are include for the linear region of both Strain
and Extension plots. By observation, we find the plots produced to follow the trends expected
with a yield strength peak, a linear region, and both strain and extension being proportional.

13

Using the data in the Excel file, we are able to observe the Ultimate Tensile Strength, the
Stress at the Fracture, and the percent elongation. Using the plots, we can observe Youngs
Modulus and the Yield Strength. Lastly, we can calculate the percent of area reduction from
measurements taken. These values are tabulated in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Calculated and Observed Values from Testing

Young's Modulus (MPa)

Yield Strength (MPa)
Ultimate tensile
strength (MPa)
stress at fracture (MPa)
% elongation
% reduction

Aluminum
Specim Specim
en 1
en 2
68605
21062
346.46 301.83

Specim
en 3
20360
341.02

4843

406.61

468.68

393.5
21.33
31.03

336.04
21
38.64

393.6
20.64
54.04

Specim
en 1
38946
879.79
1020.4
4
862.72
8.9
22.68

Steel
Specim
en 2
33258
858.56

Specim
en 3
31375
875.05

966.29

994.07

824.31
8.8
36.54

833.79
14.1
28.18

We can now compare these values to published values for the materials. The published values
are shown in Table 2 below.
Table 2: Published Values [2], [3]

Aluminu
Steel[3
m[2]
]
Young's Modulus (GPa)
73.1
205
Yield Strength (MPa)
324
370
Ultimate tensile
strength (MPa)
stress at fracture
(MPa)
% elongation
% reduction

469

440

20
40

15
75

Discussion:
First, observing both the Aluminum and Steel plots, we see that the results show trends of typical
Stress versus Strain and Stress versus Extension plots. However, when comparing the values in
14

the tables, we see some variance in the calculated/observed values versus the published values.
This could be a result from multiple variables. For example, the skewed can be effected by the
imperfections in the material, the way the specimen was machined, and the way the specimen
broke during the test.

Summary:
By performing the tension test, we see the specimens to by reaching as expected. However the
values are not what we expected when comparing to the published values. It is important to keep
this in mind as we materials have published values but circumstances may affect the true values
and the way the material reacts. Additionally, experimental uncertainty and circumstances have
affected the results collected in this lab.

References:
[1]

ME4620: Tension Test, Wright State University, Class Notes, pdf.

[2]

Specifications, M., Alloy, A., Ams, S., Bare, F., Extrusion, T., & Extrusion, E. (2001).
Specification of aluminum alloy, (April), 367.

[3]

Composition, C., Properties, P., Properties, M., & Properties, E. (n.d.). AISI 1018 Mild /
Low Carbon Steel.

Steel

Al

Appendix:
1
2
3
1
2
3

Before (mm)
A
D
G
60
5.9
26.2
60
6
32
59.6
5.9
30.6
61.8
5.8
34.3
59.1
5.9
33.7
60.3
5.9
34.3

A
69.4
71.4
71.3
62.5
58.7
62

15

After (mm)
D
4.9
4.7
4
5.1
4.7
5

G
31.2
39.1
36
34.9
36.2
36.1