EXPERIMENT NO.

9
PROOF STRENGTH LOAD TEST OF BOLTS AND NUTS

OBJECTIVES

 To be able to determine the proof strength test of bolt by destructive testing and proof load test
by length measurement.
 To be able to determine the proof strength I load tests of nut by tension and compression
methods.

DISCUSSION OF PRINCIPLES

In the field of mechanical engineering, bolts and nuts will contribute a significant role as steel
fasteners to connect or join two or more components of metal to metal or metal to non metal
materials. It holds automotive parts and same mechanism of internal combustion engines. For
instance if you can look into your car particularly the hood in the engine compartment or look under
the chassis or even to the shock absorbers or overhead cylinder connected to cylinder block to see
where fasteners are used to hold different components, then you can realize the important role of
bolts and nuts.

The bolt is an outside threaded fastener while the nut is an inside threaded fastener designed
as partner to each other. They are called consistent torque fastener having a continuous resistance to
turning. It was made as cold rolled steel of SAE and ASTM standards with a property of high strength,
good ductility, good machinability and formability.

The bolts and nuts need a test on proof strength and proof load in order to know their
capabilities in holding components. Proof strength is the stress at which the bolt or nut will be
subjected to permanent deformation by destructive testing. It is an advantage to know the yield
strength and ultimate strength of bolt and nut in which yield strength will be used as a tension load for
proof load test.

Proof load is the stress at which the bolt or nut will be subjected without permanent
deformation by non destructive testing with specified load. The proof load test of bolt will depend on
length measurement. The total length of bolt will be measured at its true center line with 910 QC gage
length capable of measuring 0.0025 mm gage length with an accuracy of 0.0025 mm in any 0.025
mm range. The speed of testing will not exceed 3 mm / min and the proof load will be maintained for
a period of 10 seconds before releasing the load.

Acceptance of bolt and nut will show no permanent deformation after applying the maximum
yield strength determined in proof strength. A tolerance of 0.0127 mm is allowed between the
measurement made before loading and that made after loading for bolt while the nut is removable by
the fingers from the test bolt or mandrel after proof load test.
List of Apparatus:

 Shimadzu Universal Testing Machine UH-A-C Series, Computer Controlled Hydraulic Servo
System.

 Vernier Caliper
 Specimen
PROCEDURES:
1. Measure the specimen.

2. Engage the UTM Machine and the Specimen.

3. Get the data required.

DRAWING:
QUESTIONS:
1. Enumerate and define at least 3 types of bolts and nuts with illustration.

Hex bolt – Is a type of bolt that has a head with six sides.

Carriage bolt - A type of bolt with a round head and a square neck that prevents the bolt from turning
while the nut is tightened.

Lag bolt – a heavy woodscrew with a square or hexagonal head that is driven in with a wrench.

2. Explain and give an example why bolts and nuts are called consistent -torque fastener?

They are called consistent force fastener because this bolts and nuts are commonly use on mechanical
purposes they are made to joined two or more parts together and they have continuous resistance to
turning. Example are the bolts and nuts that holds the suspension of the car, no matter how much
vibrations they absorb as long as they are tighten correctly they will hold it as long as they can.

3. List at least 5 major purposes of bolts and nuts as a steel fastener in automobile engine.
To secure the cylinder head to the engine block.
To hold the camshaft in place.
Secures the exhaust and intake manifolds to the engine.
Secures the marriage of the engine and transmission.
Secures the oil pan and the bottom for prevention of leaks.
4. Enumerate the nine styles of heads for bolt.
Flat head
Oval head
Pan head
Truss head
Round head
Hex head
Hex Washer head
Socket cap head
Button head
Discussion of Experiment:

What is Tensile Testing?

Tensile testing, also known as tension testing, is a fundamental materials science test in which

a sample is subjected to a controlled tension until failure. The results from the test are commonly
used to select a material for an application, for quality control, and to predict how a material will react
under other types of forces. Properties that are directly measured via a tensile test are ultimate tensile
strength, maximum elongation and reduction in area.

Why Perform a Tensile Test or Tension Test?

You can learn a lot about a substance from tensile testing. As you continue to pull on the
material until it breaks, you will obtain a good, complete tensile profile. A curve will result showing
how it reacted to the forces being applied.
Recommendation:

I recommend that the UTM Center be expanded so that more students and more equipment
can be accommodated. Some of my classmates almost skipped their next class due to time
constraints caused by the time wasted by separating the class into two groups. The second group
was actually given lesser time than those members of the first.

This is where it came in to mind that the school should improve the facility by having the room
ready for a class for 30-40 students simultaneously so that the students may have more time in
preparing the necessary requirements needed for the day.

Conclusion:

The test showed that the bolt needed stronger force for it to break compared to the metal bars
with welded joints and even the unwelded specimen. However, it showed no yield strength like the
welded bars which proved that the threading cannot support the pressure applied on the bolt’s body.

Tensile test is a test done by engineers in order to know how strong a material is. It records
yield, ultimate, and break stress and force to analyze what are the limits of the material.

This test is important for all of us in our daily lives because this tells us that we should not just
use and abuse all the things that surround us but instead, we should learned its limits and use it just
as how it’s supposed to be used.

References:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensile_testing
 Mapua Institute of Technology
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

ME136P/A1
Materials Testing and Processes

Experiment # 9
PROOF STRENGTH/TENSILE TEST OF BOLTS AND NUTS

NATIVIDAD, Richard Paul M. 06/17/2013

2011100208 06/26/2013
ME-2

Engr. Edward Ang

Professor