Question: If you pull and break a tension-test specimen rapidly, where would the temperature be the

highest? Explain why?

Tension Test:

A tension test applies tension (pulling) force to a material and measures the specimen's response to the
stress. By doing this, tension tests determine how strong a material is and how much it can elongate.

A tensile specimen is usually a standardized sample cross-section. It has two shoulders and a gage (section)
in between. The shoulders are large so they can be readily gripped, whereas the gauge section has a
smaller cross-section so that the deformation and failure/fracture can occur in this area.

Fig. 1: Diagram – Progressive deformation of specimen

Fracture strain values provide information about the deformation behaviour of materials. Fracture strain
plays an important role not only in forming technology but also, for example, in crash-relevant components.
For example, bumper beams should absorb as much energy as possible during deformation in the event of
an accident. A high fracture strain is an advantage, as this ensures that the component does not break
immediately but can absorb as much deformation energy as possible.

In addition to fracture strain, the influence of tensile strength is decisive as well, which also influences the
absorption of deformation energy. From the stress-strain curve, the absorbed deformation energy up to
fracture can be determined from the area under the curve. Due to the dimension of stress and strain, the
area under the curve corresponds to the absorbed energy per unit volume of the material (energy
absorption capacity) until fracture:

Jayesh Patel
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Fig. 2: Diagram - Absorbed deformation energy

Fig. 3: Necking Zone illustration (Red Zone)

Conclusion:

- Since temperature rise is due to the work input, the temperature will be highest in the necked region
because that is where the fracture (maximum) strain, hence the energy dissipated per unit volume in plastic
deformation, is highest.

Jayesh Patel
2