Objectives

The purpose of the Tensile Test of Metals lab was to introduce the Instron 5582 Universal
Testing Machine, as well as explore the methods used when performing a standard tensile test on
this machine. Using a video extensometer, image processing is used to track gauge marks placed
on the sample being tested and the resulting data is collected.

Results and Discussion

An important takeaway from this Lab is the importance of choosing the correct method of
measurement, as well as the effect it can have on the experimental data. During the data
collection of this lab, distance values were acquired from both the crosshead of the machine and
the Video Extensometer. Figure 1 displays both the stress/strain curve for 1080 Steel using the
crosshead values and the stress/strain curve for 1080 steel using the extensometer values.

Stress vs Strain for 1080 Steel PTF with and

without Video Extensometer
800
Engineering Stress (N/mm^2)

700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
-100 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Engineering Strain

Stress vs Strain (Crosshead) Stress vs Strain (Extensometer)

Figure 1: Stress Strain curve of 1080 Steel with and without the Video Extensometer

The figure clearly shows the difference between stress vs strain with the extensometer and stress
vs strain without. The curve that was created using the values gathered from Video Extensometer
readings is a more accurate representation of the actual stress strain curve of 1080 steel. The
crosshead is less accurate due to the sample being able to slide in the vice grips. Even though the
amount is miniscule, this movement still significantly affect the results. While the results from
this comparison are important, the primary goal of this lab was to explore the material properties
of different samples of metal. Figures 2-5 show the engineering stress vs strain graphs for 360

3
 Engineering stress (N/mm^2)
Engineering Stress (N/mm^2)

-50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400

0
50
-50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450

0
50
9.81691E-06
9.81691E-06 0
1.96338E-05 2.3511E-05
2.45423E-05 6.58309E-05
9.40442E-05
2.45423E-05
0.000103449
2.45423E-05
0.000103449
1.47254E-05 9.40442E-05
3.43592E-05 8.9342E-05
9.81691E-06 0.000103449
3.43592E-05 0.000122257
1.96338E-05 0.000159875
3.43592E-05 0.000150471
1.96338E-05 2.82133E-05
2.94507E-05 0.000145768
2.45423E-05 0.000136364
Engineering Strain

3.43592E-05 0.000141066

Engineering Strain

Engineering Stress vs Strain

Engineering Stress vs Strain

0.000141066
each sample is, although aluminum and brass are very similar.

4.41761E-05
0.000173982
3.43592E-05
0.000131662
3.92677E-05
0.000155173

Figure 3: Engineering Stress vs Strain for Cast Iron

5.3993E-05 2.82133E-05
Figure 2: Engineering Stress vs Strain for 360 Brass PTF

Engineering Stress vs Strain for Cast Iron

5.89015E-05 0.000136364
4.41761E-05 0.000178684
Engineering Stress vs Strain for 360 Brass

5.3993E-05 1.41066E-05
3.92677E-05 0.000164577
0.000103078 0.000159875
Brass, Cast Iron, 1080 Steel, and 2011 Aluminum. In these figures, we can see just how different

4
 Engineering Stress vs Strain for 1080 Steel
800
700

Engineering Stress (N/mm^2) 600

500
400
300
200
100
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
-100
Engineering Strain

Engineering Stress vs Strain

Figure 4: Engineering Stress vs Strain for 1080 Steel PTF

Engineering Stress vs Strain

400
Engineering Stress (N/mm^2)

350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
-50
0.00010059
0.00010059

0.00010059

0.00020118
0
1.50885E-05
1.50885E-05

9.55605E-05

9.55605E-05

9.55605E-05
2.0118E-05
5.0295E-05
9.0531E-05
9.0531E-05
9.0531E-05

0.000105619
0.000105619
0.000105619
0.000120708
0.000110649
0.000135796
0.000135796
0.000160944
0.000186091
0.000176032
0.000176032
0.000206209

Engineering Strain

Engineering Stress vs Strain

Figure 5: Engineering Stress vs Strain for 2011 Aluminum PTF

Understanding the difference between engineering stress and strain and true stress and strain is a
very important concept. By evaluating 1080 steel and graphing the stress strain curve for both
engineering and true stress/strain (Figure 6), we can see that true stress/strain is larger than
engineering stress/strain. Strain hardening is another important factor to think about when
performing this lab. Strain hardening occurs when permanent deformation happens within the
sample, changing the sample’s material properties and increasing the strength. This is an
incredibly useful process for many different engineering applications. Lastly a method called the
“Speckle Test” was used to analyze an aluminum sample. Figure 7 shows the initial state of the
aluminum sample as the load is starting to be applied. It is clear that during this stage the sample
5
is experiencing a somewhat uniform load, with it being distributed throughout. Figure 8,
however, shows the sample toward the end of the test, just before fracture occurs. In this
screenshot the stress appears to be gathered around the point of necking, towards the center of
the sample.

Figure 7: Initial state of Aluminum sample undergoing Speckle Test

Figure 8: Final state of Aluminum sample undergoing Speckle Test