Izmir Institute of Technology

Department of Mechanical Engineering

ME150 Materials Science and Engineering I

Tensile Testing Experiment

Laboratory Sheet

AHMET MERT ŞAHİN

250203065
TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................ i

FIGURES ....................................................................................................................................................ii
TABLES .....................................................................................................................................................iii
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1
1.2. Theory.......................................................................................................................................... 2
1.3. ASTM & ISO ................................................................................................................................. 4
2. MATERIALS and METHODS .............................................................................................................. 5
1.1. Materials...................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2. Methods ...................................................................................................................................... 7
3. RESULTS and DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................... 8
3.1. Results ......................................................................................................................................... 8
3.2. Discussion .................................................................................................................................. 11
4. CONCULUSION............................................................................................................................... 12
5. REFERANCES .................................................................................................................................. 13

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FIGURES

Figure 1. Tensile Test Specimen [1] ......................................................................................................... 1

Figure 2. Strain Gauge Example [2] ......................................................................................................... 2
Figure 3. Video extensometer example [3] ............................................................................................. 2
Figure 4. Stress-Strain Curve of a Ductile Material [4} ............................................................................ 3
Figure 5. Toughness of Varied Materials [5] ........................................................................................... 4
Figure 6. ASTM Code [6] .......................................................................................................................... 5
Figure 7. ISO code [7] .............................................................................................................................. 5
Figure 8. Tensile Test Machine (Schimadzu AGN-300kNx) ..................................................................... 6
Figure 9. TrapeziumX Load Displacement Curve ..................................................................................... 6
Figure 10. Force vs Elongation Graph...................................................................................................... 8
Figure 11. Engineering Stress vs Strain Graph......................................................................................... 8
Figure 12. Engineering Stress-Strain Curve with offset line .................................................................. 10
Figure 13. Stress vs Strain (Engineering and True) ................................................................................ 11
Figure 14. Theoretical Values of Material Ti-6Al-4V [8] ........................................................................ 12

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TABLES

Table 1 Properties of Specimen (Engineering) ...................................................................................... 10

Table 2. Properties of Specimen (True) ................................................................................................. 11

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 1. INTRODUCTION
Mechanical testing is an indispensable part in its design and production process.
Mechanical testing is done to evaluate and determine the physical characteristics of a
material, part or design, depending on or independent of geometry. Testing also plays an
important role in making it cost-effective design and ensuring the safety of the design. There
are many tests developed in the field depending on the needs. The most common of these are
tensile testing, chemical analysis, fatigue testing, etc. The material is subjected to different
forces such as bending, tension, and compression in accordance with its purpose. Under these
forces, the physical behavior of the material is observed and a connection is established with
these inputs.
Tensile test is one of the most common tests used to evaluate material properties. The
purpose of this test is to apply a pulling force to the material and observe its reaction against
it. The sample is deformed to fracture, with a gradually increasing tensile load applied
uniaxially along its long axis. Properties directly found by the tensile test, ultimate tensile
strength, breaking strength, maximum elongation and reduction in area. Using these
measurements, yield strength, strain hardening characteristics, Young's modulus, and
Poisson’s ratio can be found.
The specimen is uniform along the gauge length for which elongation measurements
are to be made, the ends are shaped like a dog bone for the universal testing machine to grip.
As seen in Figure 1, Grip section has a bigger cross section, the reason is that elongation is
observed over gage length. Since it has smaller cross section, stress over that area are much
dense and therefore deformation and failure occurs firstly in that area.

Figure 1. Tensile Test Specimen [1]

The change in gauge length can be measured by many methods. This length can be
measured with a change in actuator position or with a sensor (strain gage, mechanical or video
extensometer) attached to the sample. Examples of these devices can be seen in Figure 2. and
Figure 3.
Certain conditions are required for comparison of test results with different tests.
Apart from comparison, there must be some consistency in the way tests are performed and
the interpretation of the results, as these test results concern various organizations such as the
manufacturer, the consumer of the material, research centers and government agencies. This
consistency is achieved through standardized testing techniques whose creation and

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publication are coordinated by professional societies. The best known of these societies are
the American Test and Materials Association and the International Organization for
Standardization, which have an extensive library of mechanical testing and materials analysis.
In this experiment, a tensile test is applied to obtain the stress-strain diagram and the
tensile properties of the material.

Figure 2. Strain Gauge Example [2]

Figure 3. Video extensometer example [3]

1.2. Theory
Mechanical properties:

 Strength; the capacity of a material to resist a pressure or force. The types of strength
are tensile, compressive, impact, flexural and fracture strength.
 Tensile strength (𝜎𝑈𝑇𝑆); tensile strength is the maximum tensile load a material can
bear or withstand without stretching or breaking. The forces acting are in different
directions.
𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝜎𝑈𝑇𝑆 =
𝐴0
 Compressive strength; compressive strength is the maximum compressive load a
material can bear or withstand without stretching or breaking. The forces acting are in
same directions.
 Fracture strength; fracture strength is the end point on the stress-strain curve. At this
point, the material is completely separated from each other, that is, breaking occurs.
 Impact strength; impact strength is the energy capacity of the material to withstand
the sudden application of the load.

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 Flexural strength; Flexural strength is the maximum bending stress that the material
can withstand before yields.
 Yield strength (𝜎𝑦); the material can return to its original state after the load applied
up to a certain point. This point is called yield strength. Under the load to be applied
higher than this point, the material undergoes plastic deformation, that is, the
deformation becomes permanent. Generally a parallel offset line (0.002) is applied on
elastic region of stress-strain curve to find this point. The intersection of this parallel
line and curve represents yield strength.

Figure 4. Stress-Strain Curve of a Ductile Material [4}

 Ultimate Tensile Strength and Necking; the ultimate tensile force is the state that
pushes the material from a uniform plastic deformation state to non-uniform plastic
deformation. After this point stress begins to decrease while strain is increasing.
Necking begins to happen at this point.
 Elastic modulus (Emodulus of elasticity is simply a measure of elasticity of a
material. It measures the resistance of the material against non-permanent, ie elastic
stress. After the load is applied, the material undergoes deformation but returns to its
original state again.

𝜎 = 𝐸. 𝜀
Above equation is called as Hooke’s Law. It defines relationship between stress and
strain by means of elastic modulus. This equation is valid up to plastic region of
stress-strain curve.
 Poisson’s ratio (𝑣); the Poisson’s ratio is the ratio of the change in the area in the
lateral direction to the area perpendicular to that direction. The reductions of the area
of the material in one direction causes an increase in the area perpendicular to that
direction.
∆𝑑
( )
𝑑
𝑣= − 0
∆l
( )
𝑙𝑜
 Ductility; the ability of the material to deform without breaking or losing its strength.
It related with percent elongation and percent reduction.
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 (𝑙𝑓 − 𝑙0 )
∆𝐿% = 𝑥100
𝑙0
(𝐴𝑓 − 𝐴0 )
𝑅𝐴% = 𝑥100
𝐴0
 Brittle; A material that has little or no plastic deformation before breaking is called
brittle
 Resilience; the capacity of the material to absorb energy in elastic deformation.
 Toughness; the capacity of the material to absorb energy before fracture. Materials
that absorb more energy before failure are considered tougher.

Figure 5. Toughness of Varied Materials [5]

As seen in Figure 5, based on material content toughness can be changed.

 Hardness; Hardness is the resistance to local plastic deformation caused by
mechanical or abrasion.
 Fatigue; Fatigue is the failure of the material as a result of fractures occurring and
propagating through the material due to cyclic load.
 Creep; Creep is the plastic deformation, that is permanent deformation, that occurs at
high temperatures and constant stress, although the material is exposed to a stress
below the yield stress.

1.3. ASTM & ISO

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is an international organization
that creates and publishes standard values for every global part produced within the ISO
organization. ISO documents and published the standards of test materials with consensus
from experts of national organizations. Parts, components and products created in this way are
reliable, high quality and safe.
For this experiment, codes are expressed as following figures.

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 Figure 6. ASTM Code [6]

Figure 7. ISO code [7]

2. MATERIALS and METHODS

1.1. Materials
Firstly, as mentioned before a test specimen is prepared based international standards.
Geometry and cross section of the specimen are selected as round. To measure the initial gage
length and diameter, gage marks are marked on the specimen. Elongation of the material is
observed or investigated between these marks. Gage length of the specimen is 10 mm and
diameter is 4 mm. Codes and schematic of the material can be seen in Figure 6 and Figure 7.
As seen in Figure 4, after necessary calibration of test machine is done, test specimen
is placed between grips of test machine. The machine type and brand used in this experiment
is Schimadzu AGN-300kNx. This universal machine test has a 300 kN maximum load
capacity. Purpose of this machine is to pull or apply a tensile load on test specimen. Test
machine apply an increasing tensile load on the specimen until it breaks apart.

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 Figure 8. Tensile Test Machine (Schimadzu AGN-300kNx)

As mention in the introduction, to sense and measure the change in gage length some
sensors and devices can be used. In this experiment video extensometer is used to record the
change in gage length. A load cell is attached to test machine. The purpose of the device is to
convert a force into an electrical signal.

Figure 9. TrapeziumX Load Displacement Curve

As seen in Figure 9, TrapeziumX software is used to directly measure the force

displacement from the universal testing machine. Through this software, load obtained from
load cell and displacement of moving crosshead of test machine are obtained and recorded.
Then software draws the force-displacement curve of the material using the recorded data.
After all preparations are done, software program must be started to record the
reference and initial point. Then test machine can be turned on. During the test maximum load
data is recorded. After this point experiment continues until the test specimen fractures.
Whether fracture occurs in the gage length or not helps us to observe and understand the
mechanical property of the material. In other words, nature of the fracture is observed to
decide if material is brittle or ductile.
Experiment Steps
Before The Test:
1. Gage marks are drawn on the specimen
2. Initial length and diameter are recorded
3. Specimen is placed tightly between grips of test machine

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 During the test

1. Software program is activated and force vs displacement data is started to record

2. Maximum load is recorded
3. Test continues until specimen fractures

After the test

1. Fracture location is checked and observed if it occurs inside gage length
2. Based on the fracture nature, material is determined as ductile or brittle

2.2. Methods
Firstly, load-displacement curve is taken and plotted from recorded data. Since stress-
strain can’t be measured from the test, by using the recorded load-displacement data they can
be calculated by means of necessary equations. Dividing force by initial area and
displacement by initial gage length engineering stress-strain can be obtained. Then stress-
strain curve can be plotted by using excel. After plotting results, all necessary information can
be obtained by means of graph. Because most of the materials have a gradual transition from
the elastic to plastic behavior, strain measurements can’t define the point at which plastic
deformation starts (yielding point) with high sensitivity. Therefore, 0.2% offset method is
used to specify the yield strength. A parallel line is drawn on the stress-strain graph. We offset
the line by the amount of 0.2% of strain origin. Point at which parallel line and curve
intersect is designated as yield strength. All other information can be obtained directly or
indirectly from the graph.
𝐹
𝜎=
𝐴
𝐴 = 𝜋 ∗ 𝑟2
∆L = 𝑙𝑓 − 𝑙0

∆L
𝜀=
𝑙0

𝜎𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 = 𝜎 ∗ (1 + 𝜀)

𝜀𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 = ln(1 + 𝜀)
(𝜎𝑓 − 𝜎𝑖 )
𝐸=
(𝜀𝑓 − 𝜀𝑖 )

Engineering Stress (Pa)

A = cross sectional area of rounded surface (m2)

r = diameter (m)
∆L = elongation (m)

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𝜀 = Engineering Strain

𝜎𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 = True Stress (Pa)

𝜀𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 = True Strain

E = Elastic Modulus (Pa)

3. RESULTS and DISCUSSION

3.1. Results

Figure 10. Force vs Elongation Graph

Figure 11. Engineering Stress vs Strain Graph

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 Since there is too many number of data in the experiment, only one selected data is used to
demonstrate the calculations.

𝐴 = 𝜋 ∗ 𝑟2

𝐴 = 𝜋 ∗ (2 𝑚𝑚)2 = 12,566 𝑚𝑚2

𝐹 0,85830688 𝑁
𝜎= =
𝐴 12,566 𝑚𝑚2
𝜎 = 0,068301891 𝑀𝑃𝑎

∆L = 𝑙𝑓 − 𝑙0

∆L = 0,00017484 mm
∆L 0,00017484 mm
𝜀= =
𝑙0 10 𝑚𝑚

𝜀 = 1,7484 ∗ 10−5

To find elastic modulus, I selected a linear region. The reason why I did this is that
there are three different slope of the elastic region. Based on offset line of yield strength, I
selected data of the slope and calculated elastic modulus.
(𝜎𝑓 − 𝜎𝑖 ) 829,6062817 − 0,068301891
𝐸= = = 128832,4295 𝑀𝑃𝑎
(𝜀𝑓 − 𝜀𝑖 ) 0,006456375 − 1,7484 ∗ 10−5

𝐸 = 128832,4295 𝑀𝑃𝑎

𝜎𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 = 𝜎 ∗ (1 + 𝜀) = 0,068301891 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ∗ (1 + 1,7484 ∗ 10−5 )

𝜎𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 = 0,068303086 𝑀𝑃𝑎

𝜀𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 = ln(1 + 𝜀) = ln(1 + 1,7484 ∗ 10−5 )

𝜀𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 = 1,74839 ∗ 10−5

𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 (13026,38 𝑁)
𝜎𝑈𝑇𝑆 = =
𝐴 12,566 𝑚𝑚2
𝜎𝑈𝑇𝑆 = 1036,606384 𝑀𝑃𝑎
0,63417751 𝑚𝑚
𝜀𝑈𝑇𝑆 =
10 𝑚𝑚
𝜀𝑈𝑇𝑆 = 0,06341775
𝐹𝑓 9725,7139 𝑁
𝜎𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = =
𝐴 12,566 𝑚𝑚2
𝜎𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 773,947721 𝑀𝑃𝑎
2,2046571 𝑚𝑚
𝜀𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 =
10 𝑚𝑚
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 𝜀𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 0,22046571

UTS (strength)

Yield strength

Fracture strength

y=0,002
Yield strain

Figure 12. Engineering Stress-Strain Curve with offset line

As seen in Figure 12, intersection between curve and offset line is around 900 MPa.
After searching the intersection, yield strength found as approximately 935 MPa. Yield strain
is 0,002. Elastic strain is equal to yield strain. Plastic strain is difference between fracture and
yield strain.
𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = 0,22046571 − 0,002
𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = 0,21846571

Engineering
Variable Value Unit
Elastic Modulus 128832,429 MPA
Ultimate Tensile Strength 1036,60638 MPA
Ultimate Tensile Strain 0,06341775 -
Fracture Strength 773,947721 MPA
Fracture Strain 0,22046571 -
Yield Strength 935 MPA
Yield Strain 0,002 -
Elastic Strain 0,002 -
Plastic Strain 0,21846571 -
Table 1 Properties of Specimen (Engineering)

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 Figure 13. Stress vs Strain (Engineering and True)

True
Variable Value Unit
Elastic Modulus 128832,429 MPA
Ultimate Tensile Strength 1122,78791 MPA
Ultimate Tensile Strain 0,09697833 -
Fracture Strength 944,576655 MPA
Fracture Strain 0,19923252 -
Yield Strength 945 MPA
Yield Strain 0,002 -
Elastic Strain 0,002 -
Plastic Strain 0,19723252 -
Table 2. Properties of Specimen (True)

3.2. Discussion
Firstly, When the Figure 11 is examined, it can be seen that material is strong, yet it is
ductile. As seen in Figure 5, toughness of varied materials are plotted. The elastic region and
uniform plastic deformation region of the experimental material resembles high carbon steel
in Figure 5. It is high but short. Thanks to this similarity, we can assume that the material is
brittle. It undergoes little plastic deformation as mentioned in the definition of brittle
materials.
The difference between engineering and true stress is that because in engineering
stress calculations, initial area is selected and kept as constant, however in true stress
calculations, area is selected as instantaneously. Therefore, true stress is calculated as bigger
than engineering stress, since the area affected by the true stress gradually decrease. This
decrease in the denominator cause increase in the stress. It can be seen in Figure 13 that

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material in the true stress-strain curve fractures earlier. In real applications, true stress is
suggested to use.
As mentioned earlier, when Figure 12 is observed, it can be seen that after UTS point,
stress is start to decrease although strain is increasing. This point is the initiation of necking.
This decrease continues until material fractures.

4. CONCULUSION
As mentioned earlier in the introduction, tensile test play a significant role in
designing process. Knowing material properties give us a choice about whether it is wise or
not to choice the material. Based on these properties, weight and volume of the product can be
reduced while strength of material is increased or ductility may be needed in design of the
product. With these information, best performance of the product can be achieved.
As seen in figure 14, literature values of the experimental material is listed. Result of
this experiment can be compared by this tabulated values.

Figure 14. Theoretical Values of Material Ti-6Al-4V [8]

|𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 − 𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑|
𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 % = 𝑥100
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙
Error for yield strength (Engineering value is taken) is calculated as 15% and error for
UTS (Engineering value is taken) is calculated as 11.45%. Finally error for elastic modulus is
calculated as 12.18%. In my opinion errors are quite high, since ten percent can’t be
negligible in real applications and this may cause unexpected failure. This inaccuracy may
have come out from insensitivity of measurement devices or calculations.

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 5. REFERANCES
[1] “File:Tensile Specimen Nomenclature.svg.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed
May 18, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tensile_specimen_nomenclature.svg.

[2] Sponsored by Sensing Systems CorporationOct 13 2020. “A Guide to Installing Strain

Gauges.” AZoSensors.com, October 21, 2020.
https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2029.

[3] “High-Resolution Optical Extensometers.” Epsilon Tech, May 17, 2021.

https://www.epsilontech.com/products/optical-extensometer/.

[4] “Engineering Stress-Strain Curve.” Engineering Stress-strain Curve :: Total Materia

Article. Accessed May 18, 2021.
https://www.totalmateria.com/page.aspx?ID=CheckArticle&site=ktn&LN=IT&NM=10
7.

[5] “Toughness.” Nondestructive Evaluation Physics : Materials. Accessed May 18, 2021.
https://www.nde-ed.org/Physics/Materials/Mechanical/Toughness.xhtml.

[6] Rengifo, Gabriel. “ASTM E8-04 - Tension Testing of Metallic Materials.” Academia.edu.
Accessed May 18, 2021.
https://www.academia.edu/8658646/ASTM_E8_04_Tension_Testing_of_Metallic_Mat
erials.

[7] “APPENDIX D: Correspondence of the Nomenclature between This Standard and ISO
6892 RILEM TC83 Draft ISO 6892 Standard.” RILEM Technical Recommendations for
the testing and use of construction materials, 1994, 764–66.
https://doi.org/10.1201/9781482271362-188.

[8] Sparr, Alex. “Properties of Grade 5 Titanium (Ti6Al4V or Ti 6-4).” Parts Badger,
December 11, 2019. https://parts-badger.com/properties-of-grade-5-titanium.

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