Sarawak Campus

Assignment Cover Sheet

(for individual and group assignments)
This cover sheet is to be attached to all assignments, both hard copy and electronic format

ASSIGNMENT DETAILS
Unit Code ENG10002 Unit Title Engineering Materials
Tutorial/Lab Group Lecturer/Tutor Name Dr. Chung Ping Ping
Assignment Title Lab 2 - Tensile Testing of Metals
Due date 05/03/2023 Date Received 05/03/2023
DECLARATION
For both individual and group assignments, in the case of assignment submission on behalf of another student, it is assumed that permission has
been given. The University takes no responsibility for any loss, damage, theft, or alteration of the assignment.

To be completed if this is an individual assignment

I declare that this assignment is my individual work. I have not worked collaboratively, nor have I copied from any other student’s work or from any
other source/s, except where due acknowledgment is made explicitly in the text, nor has any part been written for me by another person.

Student Details Student ID Number Student Name Student Signature

Student 1 101216264 Moey Ching Ren
To be completed if this is a group assignment
We declare that this is a group assignment and that no part of this submission has been copied from any other student's work or from any other
source except where due acknowledgment is made explicitly in the text, nor has any part been written for us by another person.

Student Details Student ID Number(s) Student Name(s) Student Signature (s)

Student 1
Student 2
Student 3
Student 4
Student 5

MARKER’S COMMENTS

Total Mark Marker’s Signature Date

EXTENSION CERTIFICATE
This assignment has been given an extension by
Unit Convenor
Extended due Date Received
date

Version 4, 2 August 2016. Owner: The Academic Board, Sarawak.

This cover sheet is a live document available on the Swinburne Sarawak intranet; a print copy may not be the latest version
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1
2. Objectives ........................................................................................................................... 1
3. Experiment Procedures ....................................................................................................... 1
4. Results ................................................................................................................................ 2
4.1 Data Collection and Calculations ................................................................................ 2
4.2 Tensile Stress-strain Curve and Mechanical Properties .............................................. 4
5. Discussions ......................................................................................................................... 6
6. Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 6

List of Figures
Figure 1. Stress-strain curve for carbon steel............................................................................. 5
Figure 2. Stress-strain curve for aluminum alloy....................................................................... 5

List of Tables
Table 1. Initial and final measurements and loads for metallic specimens ................................ 2
Table 2. Calculated results for metallic specimens .................................................................... 2
Table 3. Mechanical properties for metallic specimens ............................................................. 5
1. Introduction
Tensile testing is a mechanical experiment that is commonly used to determine the mechanical
properties of different materials. The experiment involves applying tension to a sample of the
material until it breaks or fails, providing valuable information about the behaviour of the
material under different conditions. Important properties such as yield strength, ultimate tensile
strength, ductility, elasticity, strain, and modulus of elasticity can be determined through this
test. This information is useful for determining the suitability of materials for various
applications. By stretching the material until it breaks and measuring the stress and strain
experienced by the material, valuable insights can be obtained about its mechanical behaviour.

2. Objectives
The objectives of the tensile testing experiment are:

• To calculate the percent elongation of carbon steel and aluminium alloy.

• To calculate the percent reduction in the area of carbon steel and aluminium alloy.
• To calculate the yield strength of carbon steel and aluminium alloy.
• To determine the modulus of elasticity and tensile strength of carbon steel and
aluminium alloy from the stress-strain curve.
• To compare the mechanical properties of carbon steel and aluminium alloy.

3. Experiment Procedures
Crafting a sequence of steps for a laboratory experiment constitutes a crucial component of
scientific methodology. An effectively composed set of steps serves as a lucid and succinct
roadmap for others to follow, guaranteeing that the experiment can be reproduced, and its
outcomes can be authenticated. In this experiment, the procedures are shown below.
1. To conduct a tensile testing experiment, the first step is to prepare a sample of the
material to be tested which is carbon steel and aluminium alloy.
2. Carbon steel is the first to be mounted in the grips of a testing machine called the
Universal Testing Machine and a small load is applied to ensure proper alignment.
3. The tensile test is then applied to the carbon steel.
4. The load is increased until the carbon steel fractures or breaks, and the maximum load
is recorded in Table 1.
5. Measure and record the final diameter of the broken carbon steel and record it in Table
2.
6. Repeat steps 2 to 5 using aluminium alloy.

1
4. Results
4.1Data Collection and Calculations
Table 1. Initial and final measurements and loads for metallic specimens

MEASURED RECORDED
Initial Final Initial gauge Final gauge
Specimen diameter, diameter, length, length, Yield Load
Do Df Lo Lf (N)
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
Carbon Steel 6.07 3.24 60.50 67.91 12443.33
Aluminium
6.02 3.68 60.55 66.17 7966.03
Alloy

Table 2. Calculated results for metallic specimens

CALCULATED
Original Final
Percent
Specimen Cross- Cross- Percent Yield
Reduction
sectional sectional Elongation Stress
in Area
Area, Ao Area, Af (%) (MPa)
(%)
(𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐) (𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐)

Carbon Steel 28.94 8.24 12.25 71.53 429.97

Aluminium Alloy 28.46 10.64 9.28 62.61 279.90

The formula used:

𝐷𝐷
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎, 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚2 = 𝜋𝜋( )2
2
𝐿𝐿𝑓𝑓 − 𝐿𝐿𝑜𝑜
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒, % = × 100%
𝐿𝐿𝑜𝑜
𝐴𝐴𝑓𝑓 − 𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎, 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚2 = × 100%
𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜
𝐹𝐹
𝑌𝑌𝑌𝑌𝑌𝑌𝑌𝑌𝑌𝑌 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆, 𝜎𝜎 =
𝐴𝐴0

The calculations are shown below:

Carbon Steel:
Original Cross-sectional Area, Ao

2
 𝐷𝐷𝑜𝑜 2
𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜 = 𝜋𝜋( )
2
6.07 2
= 𝜋𝜋( )
2
= 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐. 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐

Final Cross-sectional Area, Af

𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 2
𝐴𝐴𝑓𝑓 = 𝜋𝜋( )
2
3.24 2
= 𝜋𝜋( )
2
= 𝟖𝟖. 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐

Percent Elongation
𝐿𝐿𝑓𝑓 − 𝐿𝐿𝑜𝑜
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒, % = × 100%
𝐿𝐿𝑜𝑜
67.91 − 60.5
= × 100%
60.5
= 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐%
Percent Reduction in Area
𝐴𝐴𝑓𝑓 − 𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎, 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚2 = × 100%
𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜
8.24 − 28.94
= × 100%
28.94
= 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕. 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓%
Yield Stress
𝐹𝐹
𝜎𝜎 =
𝐴𝐴0
12443.33
=
28.94
= 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒. 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗

Aluminium Alloy:
Original Cross-sectional Area, Ao
𝐷𝐷𝑜𝑜 2
𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜 = 𝜋𝜋( )
2

3
 6.02 2
= 𝜋𝜋( )
2
= 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐. 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐

Final Cross-sectional Area, Af

𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 2
𝐴𝐴𝑓𝑓 = 𝜋𝜋( )
2
3.68 2
= 𝜋𝜋( )
2
= 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐

Percent Elongation
𝐿𝐿𝑓𝑓 − 𝐿𝐿𝑜𝑜
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒, % = × 100%
𝐿𝐿𝑜𝑜
66.17 − 66.55
= × 100%
66.55
= 𝟗𝟗. 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐%
Percent Reduction in Area
𝐴𝐴𝑓𝑓 − 𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎, 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚2 = × 100%
𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜
10.64 − 28.46
= × 100%
28.46
= 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔. 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔%
Yield Stress
𝐹𝐹
𝜎𝜎 =
𝐴𝐴0
7966.03
=
28.46
= 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐. 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗

4.2Tensile Stress-strain Curve and Mechanical Properties

The stress-strain curve of carbon steel and aluminium alloy are plotted using Microsoft Excel
and is shown below:
Carbon Steel

4
 Stress-Strain Curve for Carbon Steel
600
512.0055632
500

400
Stress (MPa)

y = 1168.2x + 337.22
300

200

100

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18
Strain

Figure 1. Stress-strain curve for carbon steel

Aluminium Alloy

Stress-Strain Curve for Aluminium Alloy

350
311.0952565
300

250
Stress (MPa)

y = 949.95x + 198.37
200

150

100

50

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16
Strain

Figure 2. Stress-strain curve for aluminum alloy

Table 3. Mechanical properties for metallic specimens

Metallic specimen Modulus of Elasticity Tensile Strength

(GPa) (MPa)
Carbon steel 1168.2 512.00

Aluminum alloy 949.95 311.10

The above values are obtained through Microsoft Excel. The tensile strength is the maximum
stress on the curve and it can be identified by inputting formulas that find the maximum value

5
in the y-axis. Besides that, the modulus of elasticity is determined by taking the gradient of
each stress-strain curve graph, which the equation can be found in Microsoft Excel.

5. Discussions
The findings presented here are the results of a tensile test comparing the mechanical properties
of carbon steel and aluminum alloy. The modulus of elasticity is a measure of a material's
stiffness, while the tensile strength is the maximum stress that a material can withstand before
it fractures. The percent elongation and percent reduction in the area are measures of ductility,
or a material's ability to undergo plastic deformation without fracturing. The yield strength is
the stress at which plastic deformation begins.
From the findings, it can be seen that carbon steel has a higher modulus of elasticity and tensile
strength than aluminum alloy. This means that carbon steel is stiffer and stronger than
aluminum alloy, and can withstand higher stresses before fracturing. However, aluminum alloy
has a higher percent elongation and percent reduction in area, indicating that it is more ductile
than carbon steel. This means that aluminum alloy can undergo more plastic deformation before
fracturing, making it more suitable for applications where ductility is important.
The yield strength of carbon steel is also higher than that of aluminum alloy, which means that
it can withstand higher stresses before undergoing plastic deformation. This is an important
consideration in applications where the material will be subjected to high stresses, as it
indicates that carbon steel is less likely to undergo permanent deformation.
Overall, the findings suggest that carbon steel is a good choice for applications where stiffness,
strength, and yield strength are important, while the aluminum alloy is better suited for
applications where ductility and resistance to plastic deformation are more critical.

6. Conclusion
To sum up, the purpose of conducting the tensile test was to evaluate the mechanical
characteristics of carbon steel and aluminum alloy, including their yield strength, percent
elongation, the percent reduction in area, modulus of elasticity, and tensile strength. The
obtained results revealed that carbon steel is stiffer and stronger than aluminum alloy, as it
possesses a higher modulus of elasticity and tensile strength. On the other hand, aluminum
alloy is more ductile than carbon steel, which indicates that it can undergo more plastic
deformation before fracturing. The yield strength of carbon steel is also higher than aluminum
alloy, which means it can endure more stress without undergoing permanent deformation.
Therefore, based on the results, the selection of material should be based on various factors
such as specific application requirements, material availability and cost, corrosion resistance,
and weight. In summary, the findings provide valuable insights for material selection in
different applications.