CEMM 470L University of Illinois at Chicago

Phys. & Mech. Properties of Materials Civil & Materials Engineering

J.E. Indacochea Fall 2017

Mechanical Testing:
Tensile, Hardness, and Charpy V-notch Testing
(2 weeks)

1. OBJECTIVES
1.1. Become familiar with the tensile, hardness, and Charpy V-notch testing procedures.
1.2. Learn how to handle the tensile data.
1.3. Learn how temperature affects the toughness of steels.

2. REQUIRED MATERIALS
2.1. Steel, aluminum alloy, and brass tensile specimens; micrometers, MTS testing machine.
2.2. Test samples and Rockwell hardness testers, and
2.3. Steel CVN-specimens, impact testing machine, oil bath, liquid nitrogen, and hot plate.

3. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
3.1. Tensile Testing
a) Obtain the metallic samples and proceed to measure their cross sectional area at the
gauge length (the narrower portion of the tensile specimen).
b) Inscribe two marks in the center of the gauge length, about 1 apart on one side of the
tensile specimen and two other marks on the other side, but 2 apart. (Note: take
hardness measurements at the grips of each sample before proceeding with the tensile
tests).
c) Proceed with testing the first steel specimen with a strain rate of 0.5 /min and load it
until it fractures. Collect the chart for this experiment. The TA will explain where the load
axis is, and how to read the continuous deflection from the chart.
d) Take the failed specimen put it together and measure the distance between the inscribed
points (the 1 and 2 apart set of points). Measure also the cross section area at the
fracture.
e) Repeat steps c) and d) but this time use a strain rate of 10.0/min
3.2. Use of the Rockwell hardness testers and Vickers microhardness.
a) Take the two broken steel specimens and make hardness indentations at the grips at three
different locations, make sure that there is no overlapping. Repeat the test for a spot in the
gauge length about 1/2 away from the fracture, and then measure the hardness at a
location as close as possible to the fracture region. Take the average hardness for each
location.
b) Take one of the steel samples and one of the brass samples and in one of the grips make
five indentations, but at the same location. Record the hardness value for each
indentation.

JEI/2012
 c) Cut off a small sample from the grips of the steel sample, for metallographic analysis.
Follow metallographic procedures learned in previous laboratory. Once the sample is
polished and etched, take micro hardness readings of the phases found in the sample.
Take micrographs recording their magnification.
3.3 Charpy V-Notch Testing
a) Become familiar with the Charpy impact testing machine. IMPORTANT: extreme
caution should be exercised while operating the machine. Stay clear from the
swinging pendulum!!
b) Place two (2) CVN low-C steel specimens on a hot plate (or immersed in oil) (T>100C),
boiling water (T~100C), ice water (T~0C), and liquid nitrogen (~T= -196C). Leave
two specimens exposed to room temperature.
c) Check and zero the scale of energy absorbed by releasing the pendulum without a sample
in place.
d) Place the CVN-samples in the impact tester fixture and proceed with the test with
caution. (Try to conduct the test within 5 seconds after removing from the bath).
e) Record the corresponding energy for every soaking temperature.
f) Make note of the fracture characteristics of each sample and take macrographs of the
broken sample for each test temperature.

4. REPORT.
4.1. Trace the engineering stress strain graphs for each of the specimens and from the plot

determine the Youngs modulus, yield, and tensile strengths.

4.2. Report percent elongation for each of the metallic samples based on the 1 and 2
marks.
4.3. Report differences, if any, found by varying the strain rate.
4.4. Report the hardness values for the metallic samples. Identify the location from where
the hardness measurements came from.
4.5. Report and comment on the microhardness data.
4.6. Did you find any change in the hardness value for the indentations made in the same
location in both the brass and steel sample? Explain.
4.7. Plot a graph of impact energy absorbed versus test temperature for the low-carbon steel
specimens. Determine the approximate transition temperature.
4.8. Comment on the changes of fracture deformation and other characteristics of the
broken samples as function of test temperature.
4.9. Organize all your data and provide and interpretation and discussion of your results.

5. REFERENCES.
Class Textbook, pp. 140-149; 171-175.
Class notes

JEI/2012