Experiment 4: Mechanical Properties of Metals

Experiment 4
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the experiment, the student should be able to:

1. obtain the stress-strain graph of common metals;
2. determine the tensile strength and other properties of common metals at room
temperature using a simulation;
3. relate the mechanical properties to the deformation and elastic behavior of common
metals; and
4. compare the mechanical properties of common metals.

LIST OF MATERIALS

• Laptop/desktop
• Tensile Test Simulation (Callister & Rethwisch, 2016)

DISCUSSION

Structural materials are often subjected to forces (loads). Engineers determine those
forces and how materials respond (deform) or break as a function of applied load, time,
temperature and other factors.
Mechanical properties are characterized by stress and strain. Some of the other important
mechanical properties are brittleness, creep, ductility, elasticity, fatigue, hardness, malleability,
plasticity, resilience, stiffness, toughness and yield strength. These properties determine the
usefulness of the metals.
Stress is the ratio of applied force to an area. In tension and compression tests, the
relevant area is perpendicular to the force.
𝐹
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝜎 = (1)
𝐴0

Strain is deformation of metal due to stress. As a result of tensile or compressive stress,

there is a change in dimensions or deformation elongation, ∆L.
∆𝐿
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛, 𝜀 = (2)
𝐿

Most deformation of metals is proportional to the imposed load over a range of loads.
According to Hooke's Law, stress is proportional to load and strain is proportional to
deformation. Young's modulus, E, can be used to predict the elongation or compression of an

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Experiment 4: Mechanical Properties of Metals

object when exposed to a force and has units of psi or Pa. It is observed from the initial straight-
line portion of the stress-strain curve (slope of the straight line).
𝜎
𝐸= (3)
𝜀

The tensile strength is an indicator of the strength of material and has units of psi or kPa.
Tensile strength is defined as the maximum load in tension a material can withstand before
fracturing, or the ability of a material to resist being pulled apart by opposing forces. The tension
test is used for determining the behavior of a metal under an actual stretch loading.
Yield point is a point on the stress-strain curve, after which there is a significant increase
in strain with little or no increase in stress. The corresponding stress is called the Yield
strength/Stress of the material. For materials that do not possess well-defined yield point, “offset
method” is used to determine it.
Elastic limit is the value of stress on the stress-strain curve after which the material
deforms plastically (maximum stress for which stress will be directly proportional to strain).
Ultimate strength is the highest value of apparent stress on the stress-strain curve. It is
also known as the tensile (or compressive) strength. Fracture strength is the value of stress at the
point of final fracture on the stress-strain curve.
Ductility is the characteristic of a material where the material can undergo large plastic
deformations before fracture, especially in tension. This can be interpreted based on the values
of percent elongation or percent reduction. Percent elongation is the measure of the
deformation at the point of final fracture.
𝐿𝑓− 𝐿𝑜
% 𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = (4)
𝐿𝑜

Percent reduction of area is the measure of the fracture ductility.

𝐴𝑜 − 𝐴𝑓
%𝑅𝐴 = (5)
𝐴𝑜

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Experiment 4: Mechanical Properties of Metals

Figure 4.2. Typical stress-strain diagram for ductile materials.

PROCEDURE

1. Open the tensile test simulation tool.

2. In the left panel, select the titanium alloy by clicking it. Determine the following parameters
by moving the cursor (click first the cursor so you can move it).

a. Proportional limit/Limit
of Proportionality
b. Elastic limit
c. Upper and Lower Yield
Point Stress (0.2% offset
stress if the upper and
lower yield points are not
well-defined)
d. Ultimate stress
e. Fracture/Breaking Point
Stress

You may also click the “Zoom In” and “Zoom Out” buttons to have a better view of the graph.

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Experiment 4: Mechanical Properties of Metals

For the 0.2% offset yield stress, zoom in the graph until you see the 0.002 strain.

Draw a line that is parallel to the proportional line of the curve (yellow line). This parallel line should
pass through 0.002 strain (0.2% strain). Extend this parallel line until it intersects with the stress-strain
curve. Determine the corresponding stress at the point of intersection and this is the 0.2% offset yield
stress (green line).

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Experiment 4: Mechanical Properties of Metals

3. Calculate the Modulus of elasticity.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the following materials:
a. Tempered steel
b. Carbon steel
c. Cast iron

To compare the graphs for the materials considered, click the “Add” button corresponding to
the materials that you want to add for comparison.

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Experiment 4: Mechanical Properties of Metals

Name: Date Performed:

Course/Section: Date Submitted:

Group No: Instructor:

REPORT SHEET

Experiment 4
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS

RESULTS AND INTERPRETATIONS

Table 4.1 Different points in the stress-strain graphs and the calculated modulus of elasticity of some materials.
Limit of Elastic Upper Yield Lower Yield *0.2% (0.002 strain) Ultimate Fracture Modulus of
Material Proportionality Limit Stress Stress Offset Yield Stress Stress Stress Elasticity
(MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
Titanium
Tempered
Steel
Carbon
Steel
Cast Iron
* If upper and lower yield points are not well-defined, determine the 0.2% offset stress.

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Experiment 4: Mechanical Properties of Metals

Calculation:

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Experiment 4: Mechanical Properties of Metals

QUESTIONS
1. Compare the mechanical properties of the materials tested. Briefly discuss the reason
behind the observations.
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2. Which among the tested materials is the stiffest? Briefly explain.

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3. Differentiate between yield point and yield strength on a stress-strain curve. Which gives
the more accurate indication of a material`s fitness for a particular tensile application?
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Experiment 4: Mechanical Properties of Metals

4. Distinguish between the proportional limit and the elastic limit for each material. Which
is the more important indicator of a material’s mechanical behaviour.
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5. Differentiate brittle and ductile materials in terms of degree of plastic deformation.

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6. What is effect of temperature on yield and tensile strengths, and ductility?

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REFERENCES (cite the references that you used)

Callister, W. D. & Rethwisch, D. G. (2016). Fundamentals of materials science and engineering: An

integrated approach (5th ed.). Wiley Global Education, USA.

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