1.

0 Title

Compression Test

2.0 Introduction

2.1 Objectives

 To determine the modulus of elasticity, E of steels and aluminum in

compression

 To determine the ultimate strength in compression

 To compare the properties of steel and aluminum in compression

2.2 Problem

 To investigate the relationship between steel and aluminum response and

deformation to an applied load or force. Important mechanical properties

are strength, hardness, ductility and stiffness

2.3 Inference

 Aluminum has bigger elasticity, E compare to steel

3.0 Apparatus

 A 10 ton Universal Testing Machine, Model ET-2201-UTM

 Steel and aluminum metal sample

4.0 Theory

Many materials, when in service are subjected to forces or loads, examples

include the aluminum alloy from which an airplane wing in constructed and the steel in
an automobile axle. In such situation necessary to know the characteristics of the material
and to design the member from which it is made such that any resulting deformation will
not be excessive and fracture will not occur.

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 If a specimen made of ductile material were loaded in compression instead of
tension, the stress-strain curve obtained would be essentially the same through its initial
straight line portion and through the beginning of the portion corresponding to yield and
strain hardening. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that for a given steel, the yield
strengh is the same in both tension and compression. For larger values of the strain, the
tension and compression stress-strain curves diverge, and it should be noted that necking
cannot accur in compresion. For most brittle materials, the ultimate strengh in
compression is much larger than the ultimate strengh in tension. An example of brittle
material with different properties in tension and compression is provided by concrete,
whose stress-strain diagram is shown below.

Stress-Strain diagram

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Useful formula:

Stress, σ = P/A where P = load applied (N)

A = area of the specimen (m 2) ------- 1
Strain, ε = δ/L where δ = deformation (m) = li - l o
L = original length (m) ------- 2

Modulus of elasticity, E = σ/ε

5.0 Procedure

i. Firstly, the knob on the upper right hand side of the pump was turned to release

the master cylinder. Then the load frame was moved to its lowest position.

ii. 120mm hardened steel plates were then screwed in on the compression section

iii. The steel specimen was placed in on the plates carefully

iv. The knob then was tightening back and the pump lightly primed a few stroke to

raise the cross-head by an inch or mane until the upper steel compression plate

touching the surface of the specimen.

v. The specimen was properly placing on the compression test. Then compression

measurement dial gauge was set on the machine and the value of its scale was set

to zero. The digital display also was set to zero.

vi. The hydraulic pump then was pumping slowly and constantly to avoid sudden or

jerky force application. The load, P from the load display was recoded for every

0.1mm deformation. The compression test stopped when 8000kg of load has been

applied on the specimen

vii. The same procedure being repeated by using aluminum specimen

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6.0 Result

Material : Steel
Diameter : 19mm
Initial Length : 50mm
Cross-sectional Area : 2.835 X 10-4m2

Elongation (mm) Load (kg) Load, P (N) Strain, ε Stress, σ (MPa)

0.1 2183 21415.23 75.531
0.002
0.2 6442 63196.02 222.914
0.004
0.3 8478 83169.18 293.366
0.006

Result :

Material : Aluminum
Diameter (mm) : 19 mm
Initial length : 50 mm
Cross-sectional area : 2.835 X 10-4m2

Elongation,  Load , P Load, P Strain,  Stress, 

(mm) (kg) (N) (MPa)
0.1 169 1657.89 0.002 5.848
0.2 430 4218.3 0.004 14.879
0.3 863 8466.03 0.006 29.863
0.4 1564 15342.84 0.008 54.119
0.5 2363 23181.03 0.010 81.767
0.6 3403 33383.43 0.012 117.755
0.7 4482 43968.42 0.014 155.091
0.8 5560 54543.60 0.016 192.394
0.9 7815 76665.15 0.018 270.424
1.0 8432 82717.92 0.020 291.774

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 350

y = 54459x - 20.565
300

250

200
s tre s s

150

100

50

0
0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.005 0.006 0.007
strain

Graph 1, Strain vs. strain of steel

350

300

y = 16708x - 62.399

250

200
s tre s s

150

100

50

0
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025

-50
strain

Graph 2, Stress vs. strain of aluminum

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7.0 Discussion

7.1 Data

Discussion about the graph:

From the graph 1 , (stress,  vs. strain,  for steel ,the stress,  is directly
proportional to the strain, . It’s prove by Hooke’s law where;

 = E

The coefficient E is called the Modulus of Elasticity, E or also

Young’s Modulus and E = /, as long as the loads are sufficiently small (stresses less
than the proportional limit).
The negative values for both stress,  and strain,  in the graph indicate the compression
of the aluminum. The value of E for steel is 54.459 GPa

From graph 2, (stress,  vs. strain), E for aluminum is 16.708 GPa

(b) Comparison of the Modulus of Elasticity, E in compression and in tension:

In fact, the Modulus of Elasticity, E for steel is higher compare to aluminum. It

has been proven in this experiment.

7.2 Error during Experiment

 The data taken from the 10 ton Universal Testing Machine, Model ET-2201-

UTM is not accurate because the data keep on changing.

 Empty error occurred on the 10 ton Universal Testing Machine when taking

the initial reading. We notice that the value display on monitor is not actually

zero. it keep on increase even when we pushed reset button.

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 7.3 Suggestion

 The data being taken as soon as possible after the pressure being increased .The

highest data been taken.

8.0 Conclusion

Steel is a stronger metal than Aluminum. It was capable to hold a larger amount of loads
than the Aluminum can hold.

Both Aluminum and Steel have their own value of Modulus of elasticity. The value of
Modulus of elasticity also depends on atoms arrangement in specimen’s structure.

Steel have larger value of Modulus of elasticity compare to Aluminum. Hence, Steel is
able to face higher force compare to Aluminum because Steel is more elastic than
Aluminum. The value of Modulus of elasticity of Steel is 54.459 GPa while the Modulus
of elasticity of Aluminum is about 16.708 GPa.

9.0 Refrences
 William F.Smith and Javad Hashemi (1988). “Foundation of Materials science

and Engineering”. New Jersey. McGRAW- HILL International Edition.