Abstract

The purpose of this lab report is to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during lectures in
order to understand the phenoma behind the tensile testing. The first phase of the experiment was
comprehending the principles of displacement measurement, as this was too important for checking
with rigor the deformation of the sample. After, the piece of metal was correctly positioned in the
machine and the test was initialized. All resuts and calculations were done by the computer, including
potting graphs. This work will allow the student develop investigative skills, cognitive abilities and
understanding the nature of science.
Introduction
Tensile testing
The strength of a material is a property determined by experiment. The most common tests are
the tension and compression test. Several properties can be determined by them, but primarily for
discovering the relation between normal stress and strain averages. Many engineering materials are
used for this analyses, such as metals, ceramics, composites and polymers.
The tradional tensile testing was defined by the use of a standard geometry with marks along its
length. All measures were taken before it started, such as initial cross sectional area and initial length
between marks. Then, a load is applied and data is recorded at periodic intervals. A plot of the results
produces the stress-strain diagram.

Yield point phenomenon

During the tensile testing, the yield point is the one characterized by a drop in the stress-strain
curve at the end of the elastic region. It is believed that this behaviour is due to the presence of
interstial atoms as the allowing elements. The dislocations that are the cause of the plastic deformation
become stationary because they are fixed to the insterstial solutes. As the plastic deformation initiates,
the number of dislocations increase, as a result of Cottrell Atmosphere. In brief, the high number and
restricted movement of dislocations are the cause of the yield point phenomenon.
Luder bands
Luder bands are localized lines that indicate plastic deformation in metals under tensile stresses.
The formation of them are favored at the shoulders of testing samples, as internal stresses tend to be
higher in these locations. Nonetheless, the formation of the bands depende primarily on the grain size,
crystal structure and shape and size of the material.
These bands are easy to predict, as they are preceded by a yield point. After showing up, they
propagate over the length of the material, at angles of 50-55.

Digital Image Correlation

Also known as DIC, this is an optical technique for tracking with rigor measurements of
changes in images. One of its main applications is measuring deformation, displacement and strain in
engineering. Its principle is based on the assumption that the object is planar, parallel to and at a
constant distance from the visual sensor during the entire experiment (SLIDE). For this, a non
repetitive, isotropic and high contrast pattern signature is needed.
Basically, its camera first takes a picture with a defined number of pixels. A subset in this first
reference image is defined. Then, the image moves in any direction in the plane, and an algorithm tries
to find where the subset moved by checking and matching positions. Some noise usually corrupts the
image, and this issue is overcome by interpolating the image at specified locations.
Knowing the relevance of these information is essential for ensuring safe and high quality
materials, not to mention avoiding the responsability of dealing with nonconformity products. The
main sectors of modern engineering are automotive, aerospace and construction, and all of them follow
rigorous regulations. Accurate evaluation of the properties and strength of metals is a matter of life and
death to all these applications. In addition, these studies maintain the client always satisfied and reduce
the chances of collapsing in the field.
Procedure
Honestly, most of the procedure was already prepared and finished at the start of the laboratory.
But everything was described as it follows:
The sample was first measured in order to record its original geometry:

In order to assure the repeatabilitity of the measurement, three measures were taken. They are
registered in the following chart:
Gauge Length Width Thickness
34.5
5.82
0.5
34.86
5.88
0.51
5.83
0.51

All dimensions in milimiters (mm).

After, painting was sprayed over the samples in order to obtain a non repetitive, isotropic, high
contrast pattern.
The next step was positioning the sample appropriately in front of the 3D cameras for ensuring
an adequate calibration proccess.
All of those steps were done by the beginning of the lab session. After the arrival of the
students, the tensile test and the image acquisition were started simultaneously.
After a while, it was possible to check the plotting of the strain-stress curve on the screen of one
of the computers. A little while after the yield point, it was possible to see Luder bands starting to form
on the unpainted side of the sample.
While the test was going on, the teacher assistant gave lectures on materials properties. A few

minutes later, the sample failed. It all happened as expected; the break mark formed an angle of 50-55
with the horizontal axis.
The sample were specimens with rectangular cross section composed of rolled low-carbon steel
and annealed low-carbon steel. The equipment was composed of a universal testing machine
(Shimadzu AG-50kN) and the Digital Image Correlation 3D system (ARAMIS 3D).