AHMAD HAFIZ KAMARUDDIN KEM 110064

TENSILE TEST
1. OBJECTIVE

To obtain various information from stress against stain curves for Poly Ethylene (PE),
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Mild Steel and Aluminium using the Universal Test Machine.
Among the information obtained are yield strength, proof stress, ultimate strength and breaking
stress.

2. APPARATUS

Ruler, vernier caliper, marker, Universal Testing Machine, Specimen of Mild Steel, Aluminium, Poly
Ethylene (PE) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

3. ABSTRACT

This experiment was conducted to obtain various information of 4 materials namely Poly
Ethylene (PE), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Mild Steel and Aluminium using the Universal
Test Machine. The information were compared and mild steel turns out to be the specimen with the
highest value for all properties followed by aluminium, ABS then PE. This shows that mild steel is the
strongest material and it also happens out to be more ductile than aluminium due to metallic
bonding.

4. INTRODUCTION OF THEORY

By performing tensile test, we are able to study various mechanical properties of a particular
material from the load against extension graph generated. Through simple conversion, we could be
able to plot the graph into engineering stress against strain graph which will be more useful as
engineers in understanding various characteristics of the specimens. This is important especially in
determining the type of material needed to be used in designing and manufacturing.

Before starting with the experiment, initial dimensions of specimens needed to be measured such as
the length and cross sectional area. Figure 1 below shows the shape of specimen used for polymers
and the measurements needed to be taken are the diameter, length(x) and the thickness. The
shoulder is use for gripping while tensile force is being applied hence the length (x) has to be large
enough to avoid the shoulder affecting any deformations took place.

Figure 1: Shape of specimen used for Tensile Testing

(ASM International, 2011) The advantage of plotting Stress against Strain curve is because of its
independence with the shape of the specimen. Stress could be calculated by dividing the known load
with the measured cross sectional area (diameter x thickness). While the Strain is the difference
between the gauge length divided with the initial gauge length. This 2 formula could be represented
in Equation 1 and Equation 2 below:-

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AHMAD HAFIZ KAMARUDDIN KEM 110064

If we applied a stress to a certain material and it returns back to its initial shape then the
deformation is called elastic deformation. When the stress applied to it is too much and the atoms
could not retain to its original position then it has experience a plastic deformation. Usually the
elastic strain is very small hence sensitive tester needed to be used in order to obtain accurate data
to analyze. Once plastic deformation has begun, both plastic and elastic characteristics could be
observed on the total strain experienced by the specimen.

Proportional limit or elastic limit is usually defined as the stress where the stress-strain curve is no
longer in linear form. Depending on the sensitivity of the tester, this could be very hard to determine
from the graph hence yield strength is introduced where a line is drawn parallel to the initial linear
portion of the stress-strain curve but offset by 0.2%. The point where this line intercepts with the
stress-strain curve would be the yield strength. If a material is loaded to the yield strength and then
unloaded, the unloading path would be along this offset path and would be resulted in plastic
deformation of 0.2%. The equation for yield strength is as below.

For linear polymers, yield strength is defined as the initial maximum stress while for steels, the
subsequent lower yield strength is used to describe yielding. The reason why steels are measured in
such a way is due to the measurements of the initial maximum or upper yield strength are extremely
sensitive to how axially load is applied during the tensile test. Yield strength is also described as the
stress required to generate a small amount of plastic deformation. The tensile strength or
sometimes known as the ultimate strength is the maximum value of stress experience by the
material throughout the experiment. Equation 4 below shows how it is represented in an equation.
For ductile materials, tensile strength is the point which deformation starts to form a neck while for
less ductile materials, fracture may occur before necking hence this point will be called fracture
strength.

One of the methods used to describe ductility of the specimen is through percent elongation which
is shown in Equation 5 below. With relation to strain, elongation represents the percentage of strain
experience by the specimen. The other possible method to measure ductility is the percent
reduction of area which is defined in Equation 6. The areas are referring the cross sectional area
(thickness of gauge X diameter d).

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AHMAD HAFIZ KAMARUDDIN KEM 110064

On a brittle material where necking does not occur before fracture, equation 5 and equation 6 are
related as shown below. If necking does occur then the two equations are no longer related to each
other.

Figure 2 below shows a typical stress-strain curve for metal specimen with various properties
labelled.

Figure 2: Typical Stress- Strain curve for metal specimen

(http://www.mdme.info/MEMmods/MEM30007A/properties/Properties.html)

5. PROCEDURE

i. For the polymer specimens, referring to Figure 1, measure the diameter (d) and thickness of
the specimens. Mark the gauge length (x) to be 50 mm using a marker. For metal specimens,
the initial diameter of rod and the initial length of specimens are recorded.
ii. Place the Poly Ethylene (PE) specimen in the grips of the Instron Testing Machine tightly,
reset the load of the machine and start the machine at the speed of 35 mm/min until the
specimen fracture or breaks.
iii. Print the graph (load against extension) generated from the experiment.
iv. Repeat step ii) and iii) for specimen ABS (35 mm/min), Aluminium Alloy (35mm/min) and
Mild Steel (80mm/min).
v. Measure the final dimensions of the specimen such as the final thickness, diameter and
length for the metal rods. Measurements needed to be taken for the plastic specimens
include length and cross-sectional area of the specimens.

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AHMAD HAFIZ KAMARUDDIN KEM 110064

6. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

6.1 Poly Ethylene (PE)

Width 1 (mm) Width 2 (mm) Width 3 (mm) Average Diameter, d, (mm)

Initial 12 13 12.8 12.6
Final 6.7 6.5 6.6 6.6

Thickness 1 (mm) Thickness 2 (mm) Thickness 3 (mm) Average Thickness (mm)

Initial 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3
Final 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1

Length 1 (mm) Length 2 (mm) Lenth 3 (mm) Average Length (mm)

Initial 50 50 50 50
Final 174 172 171 172.3

Initial Area =
Final Area =
Percent Reduction Area = Equation 6 = 82.5%
Percent Elongation = Equation 5 = 245%

6.2 Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Width 1 (mm) Width 2 (mm) Width 3 (mm) Average Diameter, d, (mm)

Initial 13.1 13.15 13.3 13.18
Final 12.8 12.8 12.75 12.78

Thickness 1 (mm) Thickness 2 (mm) Thickness 3 (mm) Average Thickness (mm)

Initial 3.25 3.3 3.25 3.27
Final 3.25 3.2 3.2 3.22

Length 1 (mm) Length 2 (mm) Lenth 3 (mm) Average Length (mm)

Initial 50 50 50 50
Final 52 53 52 52.3

Initial Area =
Final Area =
Percent Reduction Area = Equation 6 = 4.5%
Percent Elongation = Equation 5 = 4.6%

6.3 Aluminium 6.4 Mild Steel

Diameter (mm) Length (mm) Diameter (mm) Length (mm)

Initial 9.4 50 Initial 9.85 50
Final 6.5 62 Final 5.75 66

Initial Area = Initial Area =

Final Area = Final Area =
Percent Reduction Area = Equation 6 = 52.2% Percent Reduction Area = Equation 6 = 65.9%
Percent Elongation = Equation 5 = 24% Percent Elongation = Equation 5 = 132%

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AHMAD HAFIZ KAMARUDDIN KEM 110064

From the graph Load against Extension generated, grid lines were drawn (as shown in Appendix) and
various points of the graph were taken. All of the data taken and analysed were tabulate and
attached in the Appendix section of this report as well. Those data were then plot into a Stress
against Strain curve as shown below:-

Graph 1: Stress vs Strain for Poly Ethylene

A, C Stress vs Strain - PE
2.5
B
2

D
Stress (Pa) x 107

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
Strain

From the graph, the calculated value of

a) Yield Strength = Point A = 2.3 x 107 Pa = 22 MPa
b) Proof Stress = Point B
Offset by 0.2% x Total Strain = 0.2% x (142/50) mm = 0.00568 Strain
= 22 MPa
c) Ultimate Strength = Point C = 2.3 x 107 Pa = 22 MPa
d) Breaking Stress = Point D = 1.2 x 107 Pa = 12 MPa

Graph 2: Stress vs Strain for ABS

Stress vs Strain - ABS

A, C, D
5
4.5 B
4
Stress (Pa) x 107

3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1
Strain
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AHMAD HAFIZ KAMARUDDIN KEM 110064

From the graph, the calculated value of

a) Yield Strength = Point A = 45 MPa
b) Proof Stress = Point B
Offset by 0.2% x Total Strain = 0.2% x 0.09 mm =0.00018 Strain
= 40 MPa
c) Ultimate Strength = Point C = 4.5 x 107 Pa = 45 MPa
d) Breaking Stress = Point D = 4.5 x 107 Pa = 45 MP

Graph 3: Stress vs Strain for Aluminium

Stress vs Strain - Al
2.5 B

2
D
Stress (Pa) x 108

C
1.5 A

0.5

0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5
Strain

From the graph, the calculated value of

a) Yield Strength = Point A = 2.05 x 108 Pa = 205 MPa
b) Proof Stress = Point B
Offset by 0.2% x Total Strain = 0.2% x 0.4325 mm = 0.000865 Strain
= 200 MPa
c) Ultimate Strength = Point C = 2.32 x 108 Pa = 232 MPa
d) Breaking Stress = Point D = 1.81 x 108 Pa = 181 MPa

Graph 4: Stress vs Strain for Mild Steel

Stress vs Strain - Mild Steel

5
4.5 A
D
4
3.5
Stress (Pa) x 108

C
3
2.5 B
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6
Strain 6
AHMAD HAFIZ KAMARUDDIN KEM 110064

From the graph, the calculated value of

a) Yield Strength = Point A = 3.55 x 108 Pa = 355 MPa
b) Proof Stress = Point B
Offset by 0.2% x Total Strain = 0.2% x 1.4 mm = 0.0028 Strain
= 350 MPa
c) Ultimate Strength = Point C = 4.47 x 108 Pa = 447 MPa
d) Breaking Stress = Point D = 4.38 x 108 Pa = 438 MPa

Table 1 below shows the comparison of all of the data analysed.

Table 1: Various data for all experimented specimens

Plastic Metal
PE ABS Aluminium Mild Steel
Yield Strength (Mpa) 22 45 205 355
Prood Stress (Mpa) 22 40 200 350
Ultimate Stength (Mpa) 22 45 232 447
Breaking Stress (Mpa) 12 45 181 438
% Reduction Area (%) 82.5 4.5 52.2 65.9
% Elongation (%) 245 4.6 24 132

From Table 1 above, we could generally have 2 approaches to compare the results. First comparison
will be made between the same category of specimens (PE compare with ABS) and (Aluminium
compare with Mild Steel). Then for the second approach, this report will compare and discuss results
why metals have a higher value than plastic.

Between Poly Ethylene (PE) and ABS, the stress-strain curve suggested that:-
 PE has a much longer plastic deformation hence making it more ductile while ABS has no
plastic deformation making it a brittle material, much easier to break.
 ABS has a lower strain thus this shows that ABS is stronger than PE.
 PE is less strength than ABS as PE experienced less ultimate strength, less yield strength and
less proof stress.
 From the data given in the printed graphs, Young’s Modulus of ABS is 681 MPa while PE is
384 MPa suggesting that ABS is stiffer than PE.

Between the Aluminium and Mild Steel, the stress strain curve suggested that:-
 Mild Steel has a much longer plastic deformation hence making it more ductile than
Aluminium.
 Mild Steel has more strain hence making it more stronger than Aluminium
 Mild Steel has more strength since it experience more ultimate strength, more yield strength
and higher proof stress.
 From the data given in the printed graphs, Young’s Modulus of Mild Steel is 2165 MPa while
Aluminium has 3561 MPa suggesting that Aluminium is stiffer than Mild Steel.

(Key To Metals AG, 2010) Mild Steel has a carbon content of about 0.2% carbon making them an
alloy while the aluminium used are in a pure form. As proven in Hardness Test, presence of carbon
will make a particular material harder due to the position of the carbon that sits in the interstitial
sites of lattice structure. This will prevent any movement of dislocation lines and the lattice becomes
closer packed. Thus, this will cause the material to become more brittle, increases strength and
hardness.

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AHMAD HAFIZ KAMARUDDIN KEM 110064

Between Plastic and Metal, we could generalise that:-

 Metal has a higher yield strength, ultimate strength and more proof stress making them a
material which is harder and more strength in comparison with plastic
 Metal also has higher Young’s Modulus suggesting that they are stiffer than plastic.
 Metal generally are more ductile than plastic due to metallic bonding.

The large difference of Young’s Modulus between Metal and Plastic are mainly due to the spacing of
the atoms, the stretching of interatomic bonds and the type of boding the atoms are experiencing.
The magnitude of elastic of modulus measures the resistance to separation of atoms that are next to
each other (bonding forces between atoms). Metals have a stronger interatomic bond and the
atoms are arranged in a denser manner compare to plastic. (US-e-TUTE, n.d) Delocalisation may
occur for electrons in the metallic bond. This will enable the metal atoms to roll over each other
when a stress is applied. This explains why generally metal is more ductile than plastics.

7. CONCLUSIONS

From the experiment conducted, we could conclude that mild steel is the material with
most strength as it has the highest yield strength, ultimate strength and the most proof
stress. Aluminium is the second in the rank followed by ABS and Poly Ethylene. The main
reason for this is because mild steel is a type of alloy hence its atoms make any dislocation
more difficult and due to metallic bonding, it is more ductile. Generally, metal are much
stiffer than plastic due to strong interatomic bonds.

8. REFERENCES

i) Books
Callister W.D (7th Edition) (2007), Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction, Wiley Asia
Student Edition, United States of America

ii) Websites
ASM International (2011), Introduction to Tensile Testing, asminternational.org, viewed on 14th
December 2011, <www.asminternational.org/pdf/spotlights/5106_01.pdf>

Key To Metals AG, (2010), Classification of Carbons and Low-Alloy Steel, keytometals.com, viewed on
14th December 2011, < http://www.keytometals.com/Articles/Art62.htm>

US-e-TUTE, (n.d), Chemistry Tutorial; Metallic Bonding and Properties of Metals, viewed on 14th
December 2011, <http://www.ausetute.com.au/metallic.html>

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9. APPENDIX

Poly Ethylene

Displacement (mm) Load (N) Strain Area (m2) Stress (Pa) Stress x 107
0 0 0 4.158E-05 0 0
10 920 0.2 4.158E-05 2.213E+07 2.21260221
20 830 0.4 4.158E-05 1.996E+07 1.996152
30 680 0.6 4.158E-05 1.635E+07 1.63540164
40 440 0.8 4.158E-05 1.058E+07 1.05820106
50 460 1 4.158E-05 1.106E+07 1.10630111
60 470 1.2 4.158E-05 1.130E+07 1.13035113
70 480 1.4 4.158E-05 1.154E+07 1.15440115
80 490 1.6 4.158E-05 1.178E+07 1.17845118
90 495 1.8 4.158E-05 1.190E+07 1.19047619
100 495 2 4.158E-05 1.190E+07 1.19047619
110 495 2.2 4.158E-05 1.190E+07 1.19047619
120 495 2.4 4.158E-05 1.190E+07 1.19047619
130 480 2.6 4.158E-05 1.154E+07 1.15440115
140 250 2.8 4.158E-05 6.013E+06 0.6012506

Aluminium

Displacement Stress
(mm) Load (N) Strain Area (m2) (Pa) Stress x 108
0 0 0 6.94E-05 0 0
2.5 12955 0.05 6.94E-05 1.87E+08 1.8667147
5 14543 0.1 6.94E-05 2.10E+08 2.09553314
7.5 15000 0.15 6.94E-05 2.16E+08 2.16138329
10 15454 0.2 6.94E-05 2.23E+08 2.22680115
12.5 15681 0.25 6.94E-05 2.26E+08 2.25951009
15 15908 0.3 6.94E-05 2.29E+08 2.29221902
17.5 16135 0.35 6.94E-05 2.32E+08 2.32492795
19 16135 0.38 6.94E-05 2.32E+08 2.32492795
20 15091 0.4 6.94E-05 2.17E+08 2.17449568
21.5 12545 0.43 6.94E-05 1.81E+08 1.81E+00
21.625 5000 0.4325 6.94E-05 7.20E+07 7.20E-01

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AHMAD HAFIZ KAMARUDDIN KEM 110064

Mild Steel

Displacement (mm) Load (N) Strain Area (m2) Sterss (Pa) Stress x 108
0 0 0 7.62E-05 0 0
4.58 25910 0.0916 7.62E-05 3.40E+08 3.40026247
6.67 27048 0.1334 7.62E-05 3.55E+08 3.5496063
10 27730 0.2 7.62E-05 3.64E+08 3.63910761
20 30455 0.4 7.62E-05 4.00E+08 3.99671916
30 32730 0.6 7.62E-05 4.30E+08 4.29527559
40 33640 0.8 7.62E-05 4.41E+08 4.41469816
50 34095 1 7.62E-05 4.47E+08 4.47440945
60 34095 1.2 7.62E-05 4.47E+08 4.47440945
66.67 33413 1.3334 7.62E-05 4.38E+08 4.38490814
70 25000 1.4 7.62E-05 3.28E+08 3.2808399

ABS

Displacement (mm) Load (N) Strain Area (m2) Stress (Pa) Stress x 107
0 0 0 4.310E-05 0 0
0.5 125 0.01 4.310E-05 2.900E+06 0.29003262
1 448 0.02 4.310E-05 1.039E+07 1.03947692
1.5 776 0.03 4.310E-05 1.801E+07 1.80052252
2 1078 0.04 4.310E-05 2.501E+07 2.50124134
2.5 1328 0.05 4.310E-05 3.081E+07 3.08130659
3 1578 0.06 4.310E-05 3.661E+07 3.66137183
3.5 1750 0.07 4.310E-05 4.060E+07 4.06045672
4 1854 0.08 4.310E-05 4.302E+07 4.30176386
4.5 448 0.09 4.310E-05 1.039E+07 1.03947692

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