TWIST MACHINE

1. Objectives

The objective of performing a twist or torque experiment is to obtain/sketch the behavior of

the material under test due to shear forces represented by the applied torque, and to determine
modulus of rigidity G of the material, which is also known as shear modulus. This behavior
cannot be obtained by a tension-compression test which leads to materials behavior under
axial loads. Both relations (behaviors) are known by Hooke's Law in case of elastic linear
relations.

2. Test

The torsion test is not part of the standardized material testing process. During the torsion test
a sample is subjected to stress via a torsional moment T (torque)/ moment about the axis of
the member. Shear stresses τ occur in the sample which distort the sample. The distortion is
expressed as the twisting of the two sample ends with respect to each other.

To assess the torsion test, the torsional moment T is plotted against the twisting angle φ. In
order to remain independent of the sample dimensions for evaluation purposes, it is also
practical to plot the shear stress τ against the shear angle of the sample (shear strain) γ. This
type of illustration is similar to the stress-strain diagram in the tensile test.

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3. Shear Stress, Strain and Modulus

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4. Procedure

a. Accurately measure and record the dimensions of your specimen.

b. Check the distance across the flats at the ends of your specimen, and then choose
the correct sockets to fit your specimen.
c. Fit the sockets to the torque head and the gearbox output.
d. Fit the specimen to the sockets. Slide the gear box output shaft along so that the
specimens ends fit fully into each socket.
e. Draw a straight line on the specimen using a marker.
f. Switch on both digital meters, and press their ‘Press to Zero’ buttons.
g. Fit the clear guard around the specimen.
h. To remove any mechanical error, slowly turn the gear box hand wheel until the
load display starts to show a small value of torque, then use the ‘Press to Zero’
buttons to set all displays to zero.
i. You may now start to increase the angle until the specimen breaks.
j. The results will be read by VDAS and saved as table.
k. Repeat the same procedure for another type of specimen.

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5. Technical Data

6. Evaluation

Draw the shear stress-strain diagram, and to determine the modulus of rigidity, the ultimate
shear stress and the fracture shear stress.