ENGR 244- Mechanics of Materials LAB #2_ TENSION
TEST ON METALS Concordia University 2024-2025
Concordia University
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this experiment was to perform a tensile test on two different metal samples, made
respectively of steel and aluminum. The results of these two tests, when plotted into a stress-strain
graph, would then provide us the necessary information to acquire the values of the samples’
properties, such as the yield strength, the modulus of elasticity, the percent elongation and so on.
, INTRODUCTION
As stated above, the purpose of this experiment was to acquire the different material properties of
two metal samples (steel and aluminum) using a tensile test. A tensile test is a fundamental and
relatively simple test to perform on materials to find out about their properties. The test consists of a
force being applied on a sample until that said sample fractures. By applying a tensile force on a
material, one can quickly find out about how the sample is going to react to that force and how strong
it actually is, helping determine its tensile profile.
The tensile profile of each sample can be completed by using the values acquired from the tensile
test, and calculating the stresses and strains corresponding to each loading states using these two
equations respectively:
σ=Pε=δ
A L
Following these calculations, it is then possible to plot a stress-strain graph for each sample and
therefore determine all the necessary information about the properties of the two materials. For
instance, the modulus of elasticity, which indicates the stiffness of the material, can be calculated by
taking the slope of the proportional part of the graph, which is also the elastic part of the graph. The
yield strength of the material, using either the extension under load method or the offset method, can
be read from the graph, as well as the ultimate strength, which is the highest stress the material is
subjected to on the graph, and the proportional limit.
The ductility of the material can also be added to the tensile profile by calculating the percent
elongation and the percent reduction area of the sample using the two equations below:
Percent elongation= lf −lo × 100
lo
Percent reduction of Area= Ao− Af ×100
Ao
Other tests can be executed in order to find the material properties of different samples. For example,
there is the static compressive test, which is very similar to the tensile test, but compresses the
sample instead of applying a tension force on it. In order to find the hardness of a material, different
hardness tests can be used, such as the Brinell hardness test and the Vickers hardness test. Finally,
static shear and beading tests can also be used if one is looking for the possible deformation caused
by tangential forces on a sample.
PROCEDURE
In order to conduct the tensile test on our metal samples, we need adequate equipment. A
deformation measuring device is the first one on the list. It should be able to hold in place the sample
and measure its deformation, as a tensile force is being applied to it by a hydraulic pump (which is
connected to it). There should also be a reader connected to the pump in order to know the value of
the force (N) that is being applied to the sample.
Before applying any force on the sample (starting with aluminum), one needs to measure the length
and the diameter of the samples before installing them on the deformation measuring device (using
TEST ON METALS Concordia University 2024-2025
Concordia University
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this experiment was to perform a tensile test on two different metal samples, made
respectively of steel and aluminum. The results of these two tests, when plotted into a stress-strain
graph, would then provide us the necessary information to acquire the values of the samples’
properties, such as the yield strength, the modulus of elasticity, the percent elongation and so on.
, INTRODUCTION
As stated above, the purpose of this experiment was to acquire the different material properties of
two metal samples (steel and aluminum) using a tensile test. A tensile test is a fundamental and
relatively simple test to perform on materials to find out about their properties. The test consists of a
force being applied on a sample until that said sample fractures. By applying a tensile force on a
material, one can quickly find out about how the sample is going to react to that force and how strong
it actually is, helping determine its tensile profile.
The tensile profile of each sample can be completed by using the values acquired from the tensile
test, and calculating the stresses and strains corresponding to each loading states using these two
equations respectively:
σ=Pε=δ
A L
Following these calculations, it is then possible to plot a stress-strain graph for each sample and
therefore determine all the necessary information about the properties of the two materials. For
instance, the modulus of elasticity, which indicates the stiffness of the material, can be calculated by
taking the slope of the proportional part of the graph, which is also the elastic part of the graph. The
yield strength of the material, using either the extension under load method or the offset method, can
be read from the graph, as well as the ultimate strength, which is the highest stress the material is
subjected to on the graph, and the proportional limit.
The ductility of the material can also be added to the tensile profile by calculating the percent
elongation and the percent reduction area of the sample using the two equations below:
Percent elongation= lf −lo × 100
lo
Percent reduction of Area= Ao− Af ×100
Ao
Other tests can be executed in order to find the material properties of different samples. For example,
there is the static compressive test, which is very similar to the tensile test, but compresses the
sample instead of applying a tension force on it. In order to find the hardness of a material, different
hardness tests can be used, such as the Brinell hardness test and the Vickers hardness test. Finally,
static shear and beading tests can also be used if one is looking for the possible deformation caused
by tangential forces on a sample.
PROCEDURE
In order to conduct the tensile test on our metal samples, we need adequate equipment. A
deformation measuring device is the first one on the list. It should be able to hold in place the sample
and measure its deformation, as a tensile force is being applied to it by a hydraulic pump (which is
connected to it). There should also be a reader connected to the pump in order to know the value of
the force (N) that is being applied to the sample.
Before applying any force on the sample (starting with aluminum), one needs to measure the length
and the diameter of the samples before installing them on the deformation measuring device (using
