Open Ended Lab Project

Course Name

Engineering Material

Submitted to

Qaiser Mehmood

Submitted by

Muhammad Abaid ur Rehman 22-ME-39

Muhammad Anas Butt 22-ME-111

Saad Hussain 22-ME-123

Ahtisham Ali 22-ME-131

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL AND AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
TAXILA
July 2023
 Sample preparation for Creep test

Introduction
Creep test, also known as creep testing or creep analysis, is an important experimental technique
used in materials science and engineering to study the time-dependent deformation behavior of
materials under a constant load or stress. Creep refers to the phenomenon of gradual deformation
occurring in a material over time when subjected to a constant load or stress below its yield
strength.The creep test involves applying a constant load or stress to a specimen and measuring the
resulting deformation as a function of time. The test is typically performed at elevated temperatures,
as creep deformation is more prominent at higher temperatures due to increased atomic diffusion
and the activation of thermally-activated deformation mechanisms.

The primary objective of a creep test is to determine the creep properties of a material, including
creep strain (deformation) and creep rate (rate of deformation) under specific stress and temperature
conditions. These properties are essential for assessing the long-term structural integrity and
performance of materials, particularly those used in high-temperature applications such as power
plants, aerospace components, and gas turbines.

Creep Test machine 1

Background

The study of creep behavior in materials has its roots in the early 20th century when
engineers and scientists observed the time-dependent deformation of materials under constant
loads. Creep testing emerged as a systematic approach to understanding and characterizing
this phenomenon.The concept of creep can be traced back to the work of British engineer
Henry Tresca in the late 1800s. Tresca conducted experiments on lead and observed that
 under sustained stress, the material continued to deform over time, even though the applied
stress was below its yield strength. He referred to this phenomenon as "plastic flow."In the
early 1900s, German scientist August Wöhler conducted extensive investigations on the time-
dependent deformation of metals. He observed that materials subjected to constant loads
experienced a gradual increase in strain over time, eventually leading to failure. Wöhler's
work laid the foundation for understanding the phenomenon of creep and its implications for
engineering applications.
The systematic study of creep behavior gained significant momentum during World
War II when there was a pressing need to evaluate the long-term behavior of materials used
in high-temperature applications, such as jet engines and power plants. The understanding of
creep became crucial for ensuring the structural integrity and reliability of components
subjected to sustained loads and elevated temperatures.
During this period, several standardized testing methods and apparatuses were
developed to perform creep tests. These methods aimed to provide a quantitative assessment of
the creep properties of materials and enable the comparison of different alloys and materials
under similar testing conditions. The British Standards Institution (BSI) and the American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) were instrumental in developing and standardizing
creep testing procedures.
Over the years, creep testing techniques have evolved, incorporating advancements in
testing machines, sensors, and data analysis methods. High-temperature furnaces,
sophisticated load frames, and advanced extensometers are now used to conduct precise and
controlled creep tests.Creep testing has expanded beyond metallic materials and is now
applied to a wide range of materials, including ceramics, polymers, and composites. The
study of creep has led to a deeper understanding of the underlying deformation mechanisms
and microstructural changes that occur in materials during prolonged loading at elevated
temperatures.Today, creep testing continues to be an essential tool in materials science and
engineering, helping researchers and engineers design and evaluate materials for high-
temperature applications, improve the lifespan and reliability of components, and ensure the
safety of critical structures in industries such as aerospace, power generation, and oil and gas.
Sample used in creep test
In creep testing, the selection and preparation of an appropriate sample are crucial for
obtaining reliable and representative data on the material's creep behavior. The sample should
accurately represent the material's microstructure, geometry, and mechanical properties, while also
being compatible with the testing equipment and conditions.
Here are some key considerations when choosing a sample for creep testing:
Material Type: Creep testing can be performed on a wide range of materials, including metals,
alloys, ceramics, polymers, and composites. The sample should be composed of the material of
interest, and its composition should be representative of the application or specific study being
conducted.
Geometry: The shape and size of the sample can vary depending on the testing requirements and
standards. Common geometries include cylindrical, rectangular, or disk-shaped specimens. The
choice of geometry depends on factors such as the material's form, testing equipment, and the desired
stress distribution within the sample.
Homogeneity: The sample should exhibit uniform composition and microstructure to ensure
consistent results. Inhomogeneities or defects in the material, such as cracks, voids, or impurities, can
significantly affect the creep behavior and lead to premature failure. Care must be taken to minimize
any potential sources of variability or defects.
Specimen Preparation: Proper specimen preparation is essential to ensure accurate and reliable
results. The sample should be carefully machined or fabricated to meet the required dimensions and
surface finish. Techniques such as cutting, grinding, polishing, or machining may be employed
depending on the material and its specific characteristics.
Sample Orientation: In some cases, the orientation of the sample with respect to the material's
microstructure or anisotropic properties may be important. For anisotropic materials, testing along
specific directions can provide insights into their directional creep behavior.

Sample Conditioning: Prior to the creep test, the sample may require specific pre-testing treatments
or conditioning. This could involve heat treatment to stabilize the microstructure, annealing to relieve
residual stresses, or exposure to a particular environment if the test simulates real-world conditions.
Apparatus

 Rockwell Testing Machine

 Diamond cone indenter
 Specimen (D2 Steel)

Procedure

 Switch on the power supply.

 Select a suitable platform according to the specimen given.
a. Flat for flat specimen.
b. V-Block for circular specimen.
 Select a suitable indenter with the help of table. In Rockwell C hardness test 120° Diamond
indenter shall be used.
 Insert the thin shank of the desired indenter in the axial hole of the surveying rod and fasten
the tiny screw situated at right side.
 Select a suitable test force from the table. In this case use 147IN.
 The test force is selected by turning the load changing hand wheel situated at the right side
of the operator.
 Place the test specimen on the platform.
 Rotate the hand wheel clockwise to lift the screw rod upward until the test specimen just
comes into contact with the indenter. This will be evident when the scale appears in visual
display screen.
 Continue rotating the hand wheel until the scale approaches the fixes base line in the visual
display screen. Use the micro adjustment knob situated in front of the visual display screen
for coinciding the measuring line and the fixed baseline.
 Push the loading handle forward by turning it clockwise to apply the load. The scale on
the screen will shift indicating the load is being applied. Once the scale becomes stationery,
turn the loading handle to its original place.
 The direct readout from the screen gives the Rockwell Hardness number.
 Lower the screw rod to finish contact between test specimen and indenter.
Consideration for the Rockwell hardness test:

The calibration of the machine should be such that it should not give more than a 1-
1.12 HRC variation in the measurements on calibration block. However, when a real specimen
is tested the variation will be considered as the real variation in the hardness of the specimen.

Observation

Rockwell
Rockwell
Sr no. Specimen Indenter type Load Hardness
Scale
Number
Diamond cone
1 D2 Steel 1471 C 50
120°

Precautions

When doing the hardness tests the minimum distance between indentations and the
distance from the indentation to the edge of the specimen must be considered to avoid
interaction between the work hardened regions and the effect of the edge. The minimum
distance is different for ISO 6507-1 and ASTM E384 standards.

Conclusion

Based on the information provided, it seems that you have conducted a project on the
Rockwell hardness test. However, you haven't provided any specific details about your project
or its objectives. Therefore, I'm unable to provide a specific conclusion for your project. The
Rockwell hardness test is a widely used method for determining the hardness of a material. It
involves applying a minor load to the material surface and then increasing the load with a major
load. The depth of penetration of the indenter is measured, and the hardness value is determined
based on the difference between the two depths.

In a typical Rockwell hardness test project, you would likely have performed the test
on various materials or samples to assess their hardness properties. You might have used
different Rockwell scales (e.g., A, B, C) depending on the material and its expected hardness
range. By conducting multiple tests and analyzing the results, you could have drawn
conclusions about the relative hardness of the tested materials or their suitability for specific
applications.