MDB 3023 ENGINEERING MATERIALS

FINAL LAB REPORT

GROUP 25

1. Muhammad Naqib Bin Nordin 21431

2. Abdul Rasyid Bin Me'Eraj 21414
3. Muhammad Afiq As'Ad Bin Md Hashim 21036
4. Amirulhusni Bin Hizaddin 20619
5. Mohammad Firmy Firdaus Bin Musa 19698
Table of Contents

Contents Page

1. Project Background 2

1.1 Sample background 2

1.2 Problem statement 3

1.3 Objectives and scope 3

2. Literature review 4

2.1 Tensile strength test 5

2.2 hardness 5

3. Methodology 6

3.1 Testing methodology 6

3.2 Project activities 8

3.3 Key milestone 10

3.4 Gantt Chart 10

4. Results 11

5. Discussions 20

6. Conclusion 21

7. References 22

8. Appendix 23

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1.0 Project Background

1.1 Background of sample

The specimen received was Polypropylene (PP) or also known as Polypropene which is the
worlds second-most widely produced synthetic plastic. Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer
used in a variety of application such as packaging and labelling textiles. The shape of the specimen
is bone in shaped with specification of 12.931/12.815mm in width, 3.095/3.084mm in thickness
and 158mm total in length measured by using micrometre with smooth surface without any major
imperfection and sign of impurity. The colour of the sample is in white colour and gives plastic
feel when touched. The chemical formula of polypropylene is(). The density of
polypropylene is 0.855 g/cm in amorphous and 0.946 g/cm in crystalline condition.
Polypropylene has melting point 130C to 171C. The Youngs Modulus of PP is in between 1300
to 1800 N/mm. Polypropylene is tough and flexible. This allows PP to be used as engineering
plastic and competing with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). PP also reasonably economical
and has good resistance towards fatigue.

Polypropylene behaviour most likely the same as Polyethylene especially in solution

behaviour which the solubility polymer depends on the chemical bonds present in the backbone
chain and their compatibility with solvent.

And also a polypropylene electric property is most likely same as polyethylene which
explains that it is a good electric insulator. As a good electric insulator, it offers a good tracking
resistance but easily become electro statically charged. The addition of methyl group in this
polymer actually enhance the mechanical properties and thermal resistance but proportionally
reducing the chemical resistance. Some aspect need to be considered to determine the properties
of polypropylene such as molecular weight and its distribution, crystalline, type and proportion
of co monomer/copolymer.

Polypropylene can be made translucent when uncoloured but it is not as readily made transparent
as polystyrene, acrylic or other certain plastic. It is often in opaque or coloured using pigments.

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1.2 Problem statement

It is advised to obtain a description of the material properties of the material in conditions that
simulate the engineering use the material is made. So as to predict the category of the material
and the materials applications.

1.3 OBJECTIVES AND SCOPES

The main objectives of this project are summarized in the following points:

i. Determine at least two of the mechanical properties of polymers by conducting

mechanical lab testing using equipment available in the laboratory.
ii. Interpret and analyse tensile test as well as the importance of these properties for
the material.

The scope of this study is to produce accurate and precise macroscopic mechanical properties
sheet from two different type of material tests. This report will not discuss the intermolecular
structure of the specimen or its grain structure.

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2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction

There are two types of materials for engineering purposes categorized as metal and non-metals.
Metals are good conductors whereas non-metals are good insulators. Metals are known to be
brittle opposed to non-metals which are well known to be ductile. The types of non-metal
materials are such as polymers, glass and ceramics and composites.

2.1 POLYMERS

A polymer is a large molecule that is composed of many repeated units. According to

Painter and Coleman (1997), because of the polymers wide range of properties, both synthetic and
natural polymers play important roles in everyday life. Polymers are also being studied in the field
of biophysics and macromolecular science. Polymers are flexible and can be formed into any
shapes and sizes. It is flexible as rubber and easily formed into fibres, thin films and many other
things (Doi, 1992). The properties of the polymers determine the characteristics of them under
macroscopic scale.

2.1.1 Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene is the material that we obtained for our objectives in the experiment. Polypropylene
(PP) is a linear hydrocarbon polymer. Polypropylene is one of the most versatile polymers which
can be applied for both plastic and fibre.

2.2 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

2.2.1 Tensile test (strength)

Tensile loading of the test sample is one of the most common testing procedures. It ensures
well controlled plane stress, strain state of the sample and the set up allows easy monitoring of
the deformations of the sample by predicting the behaviour of a material under forms of loading
other than uniaxial tension. The specimen are attach to the machine, force is applied until the

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specimen is break into two pieces. . When the maximum stress occurs at break, it shall be
designated tensile strength at break.(ASTM International D638-02A, 2003).

According to ASM international (2004), the strength of a material often is the primary
concern. The strength of interest may be measured in terms of either the stress necessary to cause
appreciable plastic deformation or the maximum stress that the material can withstand .Items need
to be minded most in the tensile test of this sort are the continuous detection of the elongation of
the specimen and especially the security of a reliable elongation value at the break of the specimen
(Furata, 1977).

2.2.2 Hardness

Hardness is generally defined as a material property that indicates the resistance to plastic
deformation. Hardness has several of significance of professional performing such tests,
depending on their field. The results of the test provide the information of the resistance of the
material towards plastic deformation (Pelleg, 2012). The more the hardness of a material, the
lower the chances for the material to undergo plastic deformation. There are different
measurements of hardness that is scratch hardness, indentation hardness and rebound hardness.

According to Wredenberg and Larsson (2009), scratch hardness is the measure of how
safe a specimen is to crack or lasting plastic distortion due to contact from a sharp object.
Indentation hardness measures the resistance of a sample to material deformation because of a
steady pressure stack from a sharp object. Rebound hardness, also known as dynamic hardness,
measures the height of the "bounce" of a diamond-tipped hammer dropped from a constant height
to the material. This kind of hardness is identified with elasticity. The device used to take this
measurement is known as a scleroscope (Robert, 2006).

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3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Testing methodology

3.1.1 Tensile test

As we referred to the ASTM 638-02A, the method to testing the material included the universal
testing machine. The universal testing machine can collect tensile property data for the control
and specification of plastic material. The testing speed and environment of testing may affect the
tensile properties. Then, the sample will be gripped on both ends and is stretched at constant rate
using the machine until failure. Properties that are directly measured via a tensile test are ultimate
tensile strength, maximum elongation, ductility and reduction in area. From the data we can
measure the Youngs Modulus, Poison ratio, yield strength and strain-hardening capability.

3.1.1.1 Procedure

1. The width and thickness of the specimen are measured with a suitable micrometre at
several points along their narrow sections.
2. The specimen is then placed in the grips of the testing machine and the grips is tighten
evenly and firmly to the degree necessary to prevent slippage of the specimen during the
test but not to the point where specimen be crushed.
3. The speed of testing is set at proper rate and the machine start.
4. Youngs modulus, Poissons ratio, yield strength and strain-hardening capability is
calculated.
5. The obtained experimental results is discussed and conclusions was given

Figure 3.1.1: Features of the specimen which to be tested (Joseph, 2004)

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3.1.1.2 Apparatus

Universal Testing Machine

2 test specimen in dog-bone shaped
Micrometre

FIgure 3.1.2 : Tensile Test Machine(Faridmehr, 2014)

3.1.2 Rockwell Hardness Plastic Test

The hardness test is widely used in the world as it is very useful in material selection as it provides
a hardness value which indicates how easily a material can be machined and how well or hard the
material it is. Basically the hardness test, Rockwell Hardness test is a hardness measurement by
measuring the net increase of depth of impression as a load is applied to it. Hardness number have
no units and commonly given in the R,L,M,E and K scales. The higher scale which are E and K
are well and hard materials.

3.1.2.1 Procedure

1. Choose the appropriate scale to suit the material to be tested (scale R)

2. Select a location for the test Remove oil or dirt, but the surface does not need to be polished

3. Make sure the part can be held securely.

4. Raise the 0.5-inch steel ball according to 10 kg pre-load.

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5. Zero the R-scale

6. Apply the 60-kg main load and wait until the indicator stops moving

7. Remove the load.

8. Take a reading. The data is collected using the computer program.

9. Write a short report on the Rockwell results. A graph of Normal Force and Depth versus Time
is plotted.

Figure 3.3: Hardness Testing Machine (Hetenyi, 1999)

3.2 Project Activities

3.2.1 Meetings

To ensure the smoothness of our progress in completing the report, we had a few meetings among
ourselves. The meetings mainly focus on the lab report and task assignments and to help each
other in making the report. We had held our first meeting in week 5 and second meeting is on
week 6, then there might be another 1 or 2 meeting were plan to be held until week 12 to check
up regular of our report. Not only that, we also had created a Telegram group to facilitate our
discussion.

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 3.3 Key Milestone

Week Week Week Week Week Week Week Week Week

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Grouping 1st consultation lab 2nd Lab final
Lab briefing group with the progres group report and
meeting technicians s report meeting group
VIVA

3.4 Gantt Chart

WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Grouping
Lab Briefing
Background
of Sample
ASTM
Standard
Preparation
Literature
Review
Methodology
Progress
Report
Submission/
Experiments
Viva
Result &
Discussion
Conclusion
Final Draft
Final Report
Submission
Viva
Presentation

Key Milestone

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4. Results

Sample A

1. Ultimate tensile strength

, =

690
=
(3.178)(5.77)

= 37.6287

2. Elongation percentage (%)

(%) = ( ) 100%

22.6 11.3
(%) = 100%
11.3

(%) = 100%

Sample B

1. Ultimate tensile strength

, =

683
=
(3.053)(5.78)

= 38.7050

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 2. Elongation percentage (%)

(%) = ( ) 100%

11.4 11.3
(%) = 100%
11.3

(%) = 0.88%

Sample C

1. Ultimate tensile strength

, =

694
=
(3.178)(5.77)

= 37.8469

2. Elongation percentage (%)

(%) = ( ) 100%

11.8 11.3
(%) = 100%
11.3

(%) = 4.42%

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 Elongation (%)
25
22.6
20

15

11.3 11.8
11.4
10

0
1 2

A B C

Figure 5.1

Time, s
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1 2

A B C

Figure 5.2

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 Load, kgf
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 2

A B C

Figure 5.3

Stroke, mm
140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0
1 2
-20

A B C

Figure 5.4

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Results

Sample A B C

Thickness Width Thickness Width Thickness Width

1 3.191 5.785 3.176 5.762 3.169 5.760

2 3.166 5.747 3.066 5.791 3.180 5.782

3 3.176 5.736 3.059 5.788 3.178 5.760

4 3.172 5.780 2.982 5.796 3.183 5.778

5 3.186 5.789 3.008 5.788 3.179 5.757

Total 15.891 28.837 15.291 28.925 15.889 28.837

Mean 3.178 5.767 3.058 5.785 3.178 5.767

Table 5.2

Sample A

Parameter Time, s Load, kgf Stroke, mm

Minimum 0.040 1.407 0.02508

Maximum 162.60001 47.435 131.09315

Sample B

Parameter Time, s Load, kgf Stroke, mm

Minimum 0.000 0.527 -0.02508

Maximum 6.85 69.658 3.47358

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 Sample C

Parameter Time, s Load, kgf Stroke, mm

Minimum 0.005 0.626 -0.2508

Maximum 13.495 70.788 9.22944

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 Table 4.1 sample A

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 Table 4.2 sample B

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 Table 4.3 sample C

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5. DISCUSION

The tensile behaviour and ultimate mechanical properties are very important characteristics
of semi-crystalline polymer such as polypropylene. These properties are known to very close
depends on the strain rate, thus an understanding of strain rate dependence of their deformation
behaviour is important for encouraging their wide use in engineering field and structural
application. Strain rate is very complicated process because as the deformation process the
energy expended during plastic deformation dissipated as heat. Three samples polypropylene
were tested at medium strain rate of 50 mm/min as according to ASTM D638. The PP sample
failed at a low maximum stress and stress. This is because the polymer has lower time for
chaining bonds to rotate into lower energy as known as relaxation. Necking and plastic
deformation can be seen during the process.

The results collected showed the elongation of samples as in Figure 1. Sample A which
elongates 100% from the initial length of 11.3cm to 22.6cm. Before the breaking point occur,
the necking of PP can be seen clearly from the samples. Sample B elongates with 0.88% from
its initial length. This is due to uncertainty on the samples such as micro cracks or air bubbles.
Same goes to Sample C which elongates only 4.42%, the initial length was 11.3cm and
elongates until 11.8cm only due to error.

There were multiple potential of error for this experiment. First, the samples were not put in
conditioning condition before the experiment were conducted. This could give effect to the
samples as the samples might elongate by micro millimetres that could not be seen by naked
eyes. Second, the time they were made appeared to give impact on the mechanical properties.
Furthermore, defects were present in two samples out of three. They showed micro cracks and
others showed air bubbles within the gage length. Defects such these can compromise the
mechanical properties. Additionally, when loading the samples into the tester, it was
imperative that the samples were properly aligned within the grips. If they were not, the
samples would suffer torsional stress which would negatively impact the quality of the data.

From these sources of errors, several actions could be taken to improve this experiment in the
future. Firstly, only samples containing no defects should be used for tensile testing. Secondly,
according to ASTM D638, at least five specimens should be tested. If five or more specimen
were tested, the data would be more reliable.

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6. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we have successfully determined at least 2 mechanical property from the tensile
test. First, the yield strength of the specimen which is crucial data to determine the maximum
force to apply before plastic deformation occur. A yield strength or yield point is the property
defined as the stress at which a material begins to deform plastically. Prior to the yield point the
material will elastically deform and will return to its original shape when the applied stress is
removed. Next, the modulus of elasticity, which allow us to predict the elongation that will occur
to the specimen when a predetermined force was applied. Young's modulus (E) describes tensile
elasticity, or the tendency of an object to deform along an axis when opposing forces are applied
along that axis; it is defined as the ratio of tensile stress to tensile strain. It is often referred to
simply as the elastic modulus.

Using the test method, ASTM D638 we can identify that our specimen is type 4 from the
physical measurement. After that, we can decide how the tensile test will be conducted. Therefore,
it is important to study the type of sample given before we conducted the experiment to minimize
any potential errors. Literature review were done beforehand to make sure the members are well
prepared. This will give a better understanding and a much on what we are testing, as we can
compute the theoretical result and identify the potential errors to be minimize.

Subsequently, after carrying out the test and obtaining the result, we compare the
experimental value with the theoretical value to obtain percentage errors. By using the percentage
errors, we can predict the accuracy of our experiment and suggest potential errors that affecting
the final value. For example, the machine could need recalibration due to long-term usage since
first operating in previous year or human errors as the clamping of the specimen onto the machine
was to be done manually and must always align parallel with the clamp and finally, the
temperature of the specimen as temperature affect the durability of the specimen.

Finally, to obtain an accurate result we must meticulously plan our experiment to minimize
all errors and using the correct technique while conducting the experiment.

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7. REFERENCES
Allen, R.(2006). A guide to rebound hardness and scleroscope test.

Doi, M. (1992). Introduction to Polymer Physics. Tokyo, Japan.

Joseph, R.D. (2004). Tensile Testing 2nd Edition. ASM International.

Painter, P. C., Coleman, M. M. (1997). Fundamentals of polymer science: an inductor

text.Lancaster, Pa.

Pelleg, J. (2012). Mechanical Properties of Materials. Springer, Netherlands.

Wredenberg, F., Larsson, P.L. (2009). Scratch testing of metals and polymers: Experiments and
numerics. (Volume 266, no. 1-2, pp. 76-83.)

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8. Appendix

Figure 8.1: Universal Tensile Test machine in UTP block

17

Figure 8.2: Fractured of samples of A, B and C

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Minute of Meetings

Date: 24th January 2017

Day: Tuesday
Time: 1.00 pm 2.00 pm
Venue: 18-02-02

Present:

1. Muhammad Naqib Bin Nordin 21431

2. Abdul Rasyid Bin Me'Eraj 21414
3. Muhammad Afiq As'Ad Bin Md Hashim 21036
4. Muhamad Amirulhusni Bin Hizaddin 20619
5. Mohammad Firmy Firdaus Bin Musa 19698

Agenda

1. Lab Briefing

Lab briefing by Dr Othman and Dr Mazli

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Date: 10th February 2017
Day: Friday
Time: 10.00pm

Present:

1. Muhammad Naqib Bin Nordin 21431

2. Abdul Rasyid Bin Me'Eraj 21414
3. Muhammad Afiq As'Ad Bin Md Hashim 21036
4. Muhamad Amirulhusni Bin Hizaddin 20619
5. Mohammad Firmy Firdaus Bin Musa 19698

Agenda

1. Members introduction

2. Identify sample material

3. Task distribution :
Muhammad Naqib bin Nordin Project Background
Abdul Rasyid bin Me'Eraj Literature Review
Muhammad Afiq As'Ad bin Md Hashim Objectives
Muhamad Amirulhusni bin Hizaddin ASTM
Mohammad Firmy Firdaus bin Musa - Methodology

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Date: 15th February 2017
Day: Wednesday
Time: 10.00pm

Present:

1. Muhammad Naqib Bin Nordin 21431

2. Abdul Rasyid Bin Me'Eraj 21414
3. Muhammad Afiq As'Ad Bin Md Hashim 21036
4. Muhamad Amirulhusni Bin Hizaddin 20619
5. Mohammad Firmy Firdaus Bin Musa 19698

Agenda

1. Review lab briefing

2. Discuss members availability for the date to conduct the lab session

3. Complete literature review and methodology

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Date: 16th March 2017
Day: Thursday
Time: 10 a.m. 12 p.m.

Present:

1. Muhammad Naqib Bin Nordin 21431

2. Abdul Rasyid Bin Me'Eraj 21414
3. Muhammad Afiq As'Ad Bin Md Hashim 21036
4. Muhamad Amirulhusni Bin Hizaddin 20619
5. Mohammad Firmy Firdaus Bin Musa 19698

Agenda

1. Lab session on tensile test

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MDB 3023 Engineering Materials

Date: 15th March 2017

Day: Wednesday
Time: 11.00pm

Present:

1. Muhammad Naqib Bin Nordin 21431

2. Abdul Rasyid Bin Me'Eraj 21414
3. Muhammad Afiq As'Ad Bin Md Hashim 21036
4. Muhamad Amirulhusni Bin Hizaddin 20619
5. Mohammad Firmy Firdaus Bin Musa 19698

Agenda

1. Discuss the result of the test

2. Completion of lab report :

Conclusion
Discussion

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