Why Perform a Torsion Test?

Many products and components are subjected to torsional forces during

their operation. Products such as biomedical catheter tubing, switches,
fasteners, and automotive steering columns are just a few devices subject
to such torsional stresses. By testing these products in torsion,
manufacturers are able to simulate real life service conditions, check
product quality, verify designs, and ensure proper manufacturing
techniques.

Types of Torsion Tests

Torsion tests can be performed by applying only a rotational motion or by

applying both axial (tension or compression) and torsional forces. Types of
torsion testing vary from product to product but can usually be classified
as failure, proof, or product operation testing.

• Torsion Only: Applying only torsional loads to the test specimen.

• Axial-Torsion: Applying both axial (tension or compression) and

torsional forces to the test specimen.

• Failure Testing: Twisting the product, component, or specimen until

failure. Failure can be classified as either a physical break or a
kink/defect in the specimen.

• Proof Testing: Applying a torsional load and holding this torque load
for a fixed amount of time.

• Operational Testing: Testing complete assemblies or products such

as bottle caps, switches, dial pens, or steering columns to verify that
the product performs as expected under torsion loads.

• Torsion Test
• Torsion is the stress associated with twisting (torque). The torsion
testing device has two sockets, one fixed and the other can rotate.
The fixed socket is attached to an instrument which senses torsional
moment and displays this value on a graduated dial or digital
torquemeter.
• The torsion specimen is made of a hexagonal stock to minimize the
slippage in the sockets of the testing machine and is turned to round
in the center portion. Torque is most commonly encountered in
members which are circular in cross-section. Shafts and threaded
fasteners are the usual torque resisting and torque transmitting
machine elements.
• A device for measuring twist angle, which is called torsiometer, is
mounted on the specimen before it is inserted into the sockets.The
parts of the torsion testing machine are shown below:
 •
• Torquemeter and Calibration Procedure:
• The following controls are located in the back of the torquemeter:
• 1. ZERO adjustment knob - this is used for zeroing the meter prior to
applying the load
• 2. CAL screw - this can be used to adjust the calibration of the meter
in the SI units
• 3. SI/IMP adjust screw - this adjusts the ratio between the SI and
British units as selected by the SI/IMP switch in front of the meter.
• 4. Decimal points - this can be used to determine the number of
decimal points displayed.
• Calibration:
• 1. Fit the calibration arm onto the square end of the torque shaft,
then set the deflection arm (C) approximately level by adjusting the
handwheel (B). Set the dial gauge (A) to zero by rotating outer
bezel.
• 2. Select SI units and set the torquemeter to zero by adjusting the
ZERO knob at the rear end of the instrument.
• 3. Add a load of 5 kg. To the calibration arm (L)and return the
reading on the dial gauge (A) to zero by rotating the handwheel.
Check that the reading on the torquemeter is 24.5 � 0.5 Nm. If the
error is greater than 0.5 Nm, the claibration should be adjusted
using CAL screw to set the reading to 24.5 Nm when the load is 5
Kg.
• 4. Remove the load and check that the meter returns to zero.
•
• Torsiometer:
• The torsiometer is used to measure the angle of twist in radians
both in elastic and plastic regions.
• Operation:
• Place the torsiometer on the specimen. This is done in three stages:
• 1. Push one end of the specimen firmly into the socket mounted on
the tailstock of the torsion machine. Separate the torsiometer into
its three main components; two end clamps (A) and (B) and the
cylindrical center spacer (C). Slide the end clamp (B) onto the
specimen and frimly tighten the cap screw (D) at the appropriate
distance from the specimen and using the allen key set the rod (H)
so that its radial support is at approximately 45 o from the vertical
(towards the handwheel side) and tighten the knurled nut (F) to lock
it in position.
• 2. Slide the cylindricial spaver (C) over the specimen and onto the
spigot on end clamp (B).
• 3. Place the remaining end clamp (A) onto the specimen taking care
to locate the spigot on this end clamp as far as possible into the
open end of the spacer (C). Turn the end clamp until the dial gauge
plunger contacts the flat on the end of the rod (H). Firmly hold the
three components together and tighten the cap screw (D) in the end
clamp (A). The spacer should be free to rotate without end play. The
whole assembly is now firmly fixed to the test specimen and the tail
stock can be slid along the bed until the free hexagonal end of the
specimen is inside the head stock socket. Load the straining head in
position. The torsiometer is now ready for use. During the
experiment, if an adjustment is necessary, slacken the knurled nut
(F) and reset the position of the rod (H).
 •
•
• Experimental Procedure:
• 1 . Measure the diameter of the test specimen.
• 2. Note that gage length is 2.00 inches.
• 3. Check the calibration of torquemeter, adjust if necessary.
• 4. Mount the torsiometer on the specimen.
• 5. Increase the angle of twist at an incremental value of 0.005
radians and record the corresponding value of torque. Repeat this
for 10 incremental readings.
• 6. Reduce the load to zero and remove the specimen from the
machine.
• Warning: Do not attempt to remove the specimen when under load.
• Report:
• 1. Prepare a report, describing the purpose of the experiment, the
equipment and setup used and the results obtained.
• 2. Using the following equations, calculate the shear strain and
shear stress for each increment. Tabulate the stress and strain
values.
•
• 3. Using the vertical axis for shear stress and horizontal axis for
shear strain, plot stress -strain diagram.

•
• 4. Determine the shear modulus from the slope of the straight line.
 •
• 5. Compare your result with the published value of the shear
modulus. Calculate the % error. List the possible sources of error.
•
• e s = Shear strain (radians)
• Ss = Shear Stress (psi)
• q = Angle of twist (radians)
• L = Gage length (in)
• r = Radius (in)
• G = Shear Modulus (psi)
• J = Polar Moment of Inertia (in4)
• T = Torque (lb-in)
•

A G
Dial gauge Input handwheel

B H
Leveling Hexagonal sockets
handwheel

C I
Deflection arm Torquemeter output
socket

D J
Adjustable feet Torque shaft

E K
Gearbox carriage Input shaft
locking screws

F
Base
 •
• Torquemeter and Calibration Procedure:
• The following controls are located in the back of the torquemeter:
• 1. ZERO adjustment knob - this is used for zeroing the meter prior to
applying the load
• 2. CAL screw - this can be used to adjust the calibration of the meter
in the SI units
• 3. SI/IMP adjust screw - this adjusts the ratio between the SI and
British units as selected by the SI/IMP switch in front of the meter.
• 4. Decimal points - this can be used to determine the number of
decimal points displayed.
• Calibration:
• 1. Fit the calibration arm onto the square end of the torque shaft,
then set the deflection arm (C) approximately level by adjusting the
handwheel (B). Set the dial gauge (A) to zero by rotating outer
bezel.
• 2. Select SI units and set the torquemeter to zero by adjusting the
ZERO knob at the rear end of the instrument.
• 3. Add a load of 5 kg. To the calibration arm (L)and return the
reading on the dial gauge (A) to zero by rotating the handwheel.
Check that the reading on the torquemeter is 24.5 � 0.5 Nm. If the
error is greater than 0.5 Nm, the claibration should be adjusted
using CAL screw to set the reading to 24.5 Nm when the load is 5
Kg.
• 4. Remove the load and check that the meter returns to zero.
•
• Torsiometer:
• The torsiometer is used to measure the angle of twist in radians
both in elastic and plastic regions.
• Operation:
• Place the torsiometer on the specimen. This is done in three stages:
• 1. Push one end of the specimen firmly into the socket mounted on
the tailstock of the torsion machine. Separate the torsiometer into
its three main components; two end clamps (A) and (B) and the
cylindrical center spacer (C). Slide the end clamp (B) onto the
specimen and frimly tighten the cap screw (D) at the appropriate
distance from the specimen and using the allen key set the rod (H)
so that its radial support is at approximately 45 o from the vertical
(towards the handwheel side) and tighten the knurled nut (F) to lock
it in position.
• 2. Slide the cylindricial spaver (C) over the specimen and onto the
spigot on end clamp (B).
• 3. Place the remaining end clamp (A) onto the specimen taking care
to locate the spigot on this end clamp as far as possible into the
open end of the spacer (C). Turn the end clamp until the dial gauge
plunger contacts the flat on the end of the rod (H). Firmly hold the
three components together and tighten the cap screw (D) in the end
clamp (A). The spacer should be free to rotate without end play. The
whole assembly is now firmly fixed to the test specimen and the tail
stock can be slid along the bed until the free hexagonal end of the
specimen is inside the head stock socket. Load the straining head in
position. The torsiometer is now ready for use. During the
experiment, if an adjustment is necessary, slacken the knurled nut
(F) and reset the position of the rod (H).
 •
•
• Experimental Procedure:
• 1 . Measure the diameter of the test specimen.
• 2. Note that gage length is 2.00 inches.
• 3. Check the calibration of torquemeter, adjust if necessary.
• 4. Mount the torsiometer on the specimen.
• 5. Increase the angle of twist at an incremental value of 0.005
radians and record the corresponding value of torque. Repeat this
for 10 incremental readings.
• 6. Reduce the load to zero and remove the specimen from the
machine.
• Warning: Do not attempt to remove the specimen when under load.
• Report:
• 1. Prepare a report, describing the purpose of the experiment, the
equipment and setup used and the results obtained.
• 2. Using the following equations, calculate the shear strain and
shear stress for each increment. Tabulate the stress and strain
values.
•
• 3. Using the vertical axis for shear stress and horizontal axis for
shear strain, plot stress -strain diagram.

•
• 4. Determine the shear modulus from the slope of the straight line.
 •
• 5. Compare your result with the published value of the shear
modulus. Calculate the % error. List the possible sources of error.
•
• e s = Shear strain (radians)
• Ss = Shear Stress (psi)
• q = Angle of twist (radians)
• L = Gage length (in)
• r = Radius (in)
• G = Shear Modulus (psi)
• J = Polar Moment of Inertia (in4)
• T = Torque (lb-in)
•

A = End clamp E = End caps

B = End clamp F = Knurled nut

C = Spacer G = Dial gauge

D = Cap screw H = Rod

•
• Experimental Procedure:
• 1 . Measure the diameter of the test specimen.
• 2. Note that gage length is 2.00 inches.
• 3. Check the calibration of torquemeter, adjust if necessary.
• 4. Mount the torsiometer on the specimen.
• 5. Increase the angle of twist at an incremental value of 0.005
radians and record the corresponding value of torque. Repeat this
for 10 incremental readings.
• 6. Reduce the load to zero and remove the specimen from the
machine.
• Warning: Do not attempt to remove the specimen when under load.
• Report:
• 1. Prepare a report, describing the purpose of the experiment, the
equipment and setup used and the results obtained.
• 2. Using the following equations, calculate the shear strain and
shear stress for each increment. Tabulate the stress and strain
values.
•
• 3. Using the vertical axis for shear stress and horizontal axis for
shear strain, plot stress -strain diagram.

•
• 4. Determine the shear modulus from the slope of the straight line.

•
• 5. Compare your result with the published value of the shear
modulus. Calculate the % error. List the possible sources of error.
•
• e s = Shear strain (radians)
• Ss = Shear Stress (psi)
• q = Angle of twist (radians)
• L = Gage length (in)
• r = Radius (in)
• G = Shear Modulus (psi)
• J = Polar Moment of Inertia (in4)
• T = Torque (lb-in)
•

Experimental values Calculated Values

•
• 3. Using the vertical axis for shear stress and horizontal axis for
shear strain, plot stress -strain diagram.

•
• 4. Determine the shear modulus from the slope of the straight line.

•
• 5. Compare your result with the published value of the shear
modulus. Calculate the % error. List the possible sources of error.
•
• e s = Shear strain (radians)
• Ss = Shear Stress (psi)
• q = Angle of twist (radians)
• L = Gage length (in)
• r = Radius (in)
• G = Shear Modulus (psi)
• J = Polar Moment of Inertia (in4)
• T = Torque (lb-in)
•
 Torque Angle of Twist Shear Stress Shear Strain
T q Ss e s

Lb-in Radians Psi Radians

•
• 3. Using the vertical axis for shear stress and horizontal axis for
shear strain, plot stress -strain diagram.

•
• 4. Determine the shear modulus from the slope of the straight line.

•
• 5. Compare your result with the published value of the shear
modulus. Calculate the % error. List the possible sources of error.
•
• e s = Shear strain (radians)
• Ss = Shear Stress (psi)
• q = Angle of twist (radians)
• L = Gage length (in)
• r = Radius (in)
• G = Shear Modulus (psi)
• J = Polar Moment of Inertia (in4)
• T = Torque (lb-in)
•

Shear Strain = e s = r q / L

Shear Stress = Ss = T r /J

Angle of Twist = q = TL/(JG)

•
• e s = Shear strain (radians)
• Ss = Shear Stress (psi)
• q = Angle of twist (radians)
• L = Gage length (in)
• r = Radius (in)
• G = Shear Modulus (psi)
• J = Polar Moment of Inertia (in4)
• T = Torque (lb-in)
•