12 September 2016

Mr. Matthew Gerboth

Lab Section 03 - 7.10 p.m.
Materials Science and Engineering Program
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN 37235
Dear Mr. Matthew Gerboth

Introduction
Results of the tensile testing laboratory experiment, performed on 10
September 2016 are reported in this letter. The main objectives were to study the
microstructure after cold working on the mechanical properties of 1008 steel using
a combination of tensile and hardness tests.
Experimental Procedure
The initial hardness of each 1008 steel sample is measured on the Rockwell B
scale. The samples then are cold rolled to reduction in thickness of ~7%,14%, and
20%. The samples dimensions are measured after rolling. 2 parallel lines are drawn
on the uniform cross section (figures 1 and 2). Distance between 2 lines are
measured. After rolling, the hardness of each sample are measured again. Tensile
test is performed to determine the ultimate tensile strength and elongation to
failure. Photograph of the fracture surfaces are taken.
Results
Nominal Cold
Working

Initial Hardness
(HRB)

Final Hardness
(HRB)

UTS
(MPa)

Percent
Elongation

0%

58.5

58.5

343

39.1

7%

57.6

62.4

352

30.3

14%

58.14

72.94

413

9.24

20%

58.22

77.26

445

7.45

Table 1: Data reduction for all 4 samples

1008 Steel
500
400
300

UTS (MPa)200
100
0

45
40
35
30
25
20 Percent elongation (%)
15
10
5
0

UTS
Percent Elongation

Percent cold work

Graph 1: 1008 UTS and percent elongation after strain hardening

0 % reduction

7 % reduction

14 % reduction

20 % reduction

Figure 3: Photograph of failed 1008 steel samples

Sample calculation:

% elongation of 1008 at 0 % reduction = (105.95 76.17) *100 / 76.17 = 39.1 %

Discussion
From the table 1 and graph 1 above, 1008 steel hardness with 7 % cold
working have a final hardness value of 62.4 Rockwell B. This is higher than its initial
hardness value of 57.6 Rockwell B. 14 % and 20 % cold work 1008 steel also
showed the same trend. This shows that cold working increases the material
hardness. This is because the individual crystal units (grain) become longer and
dislocation density multiply and interact, leading to an increase in strength. Figure 3
shows the image of grains before and after cold work.

Table 1 and graph 1 also showed that the percent elongation of 1008 steel
decreased as percent of cold working increase. 7 % cold work steel have 30.3%
elongation during the tensile test whereas 0 % cold work steel have 39.1 %
elongation to failure. 20 % cold work steel have the lowest % elongation to failure
which is 7.45 %. This is because the higher dislocation density makes it harder for
grains to move around therefore less degree of freedom for atoms to move before
they snap.
Cold work also increased the tensile strength of materials as it requires more
strength to move the atoms. Table 1 showed that the ultimate tensile strength of
1008 steel increase by 102 MPa after 20 % cold work.
Source of error in this experiment comes from digital caliper as it can only
measure sample to 0.001mm accuracy. Other error that possible in this experiment
is while measuring the final length of sample by fitting two pieces together. This
method is not an accurate method to measuring the final length of the sample.
The objective of this experiment which to determine the microstructure after
cold working on the mechanical properties of 1008 steel using a combination of
tensile and hardness tests was successfully meet.

Conclusion
In conclusion, strain hardening such as cold working increase dislocation
density and therefore increase its tensile strength and yield strength. Strain
hardening also decrease ductility of the material with reduce strain to failure.
Therefore, percent of cold working must be compromise with sufficient ductility for
the given application.

Sincerely,
Nazrul Aidil Mat Akher

Appendices

Figure 1: Draw 2 perpendicular lines

0 % reduction

7 % reduction

14 % reduction

20 % reduction

Figure 3: Photograph of failed 1008 steel samples

Figure 3: Image of grains before (a) and after (a) cold work