1. Introduction & Objectives

The tensile test is a fundamental mechanical test for materials. It provides valuable information about a material's properties under tension (pulling force). By stretching a standardized specimen to failure, we can determine its strength, stiffness, and ductility.

Objectives:

2. Mechanics Theory

The shape of the engineering stress-strain curve records the full story of how a specimen reacts to tension. Use the stage buttons below to refresh your memory on how the response transitions from linear elasticity through fracture.

Explore each stage

Elastic region

Stress and strain stay proportional. The slope of this line is the Young's modulus (E) and deformation is fully recoverable.

Tip: Use the initial straight portion of your graph to estimate E.

Key relationships

σ = P / A0
E = σ / ε = Δσ / Δε

These are engineering expressions. Replace the initial area and length with the instantaneous values to compare with true stress or strain.

The chart mirrors the simulation defaults. Tapping a stage highlights the matching portion of the curve in the caption above.

3. Apparatus & Setup

Know your tools before you press “Start”. Tap an item to see how it contributes to a successful tensile test and what to inspect during setup.

Universal Testing Machine

Inspect the grips, choose the correct load cell, and verify that limit switches and the emergency stop are functional before clamping the specimen.

  • Check grip faces for wear or debris.
  • Set the crosshead rate and load range in the control panel.
  • Zero the load cell and displacement channels before loading.

Pre-test checklist

Tick each item as you prepare the setup in the lab.

Readiness status

Complete the checklist to confirm the station is safe to run.

0 / 3 ready

Keep checking items to unlock the “Go for test” status.

4. Safety Precautions

Always prioritize safety in the lab. Follow these guidelines during the tensile test:

Wear Safety Glasses

Specimens can fracture suddenly, sending small fragments. Eye protection is mandatory.

Use Work Gloves

Handle specimens, especially after fracture, with care. Edges can be sharp.

Wear Safety Shoes

Protect your feet from potential falling objects, such as specimens or machine parts.

5. Brief Procedure

1.

Measure and record the initial dimensions of the specimen's gauge section (e.g., diameter or width and thickness). Calculate the initial cross-sectional area (A0).

2.

Mark the original gauge length (L0) on the specimen using a punch or marker.

3.

Mount the specimen securely into the grips of the Universal Testing Machine (UTM).

4.

Ensure the machine's load and displacement readings are zeroed before starting.

5.

Start the test. The UTM will apply a tensile load at a slow, constant rate, gradually stretching the specimen.

6.

The machine's software will record the applied load (P) and the corresponding elongation (ΔL) from the machine's data acquisition system.

7.

Continue the test until the specimen fractures.

8.

After fracture, remove the two broken halves of the specimen.

9.

Fit the broken ends together and measure the final gauge length (Lf).

10.

Measure the final diameter or width/thickness at the point of fracture to calculate the final cross-sectional area (Af).

Interactive step navigator

Drag the slider or tap the dots to rehearse each action before you enter the lab.

Step 1 Step 10

Step 1 · Measure the specimen

Record all starting dimensions (diameter or width/thickness) with a micrometer to establish the initial area A0.

Pro tip: Capture the readings in the lab sheet immediately to avoid transcription errors.

6. Interactive Tensile Test Simulation

This simulation plots the full stress-strain curve for different materials. Select a material and press "Start Test" to see the graph generate in real-time.

Status: Ready

Live Stress-Strain Curve

7. Interactive Specimen Slider

This is a simple game to get a feel for deformation. Drag the slider to manually stretch the specimen strip and see what happens.

Status: Ready
0%
No Load Max Load (Fracture)

8. Funky Groove Stress Game

Keep the tensile rhythm alive by balancing the virtual specimen inside the elastic "groove". The closer you stay to the sweet spot, the more style points you earn.

Score 0
Combo 0
Lives 3
Elapsed Time 0.0 s
Session High Score 0
Longest Groove Time 0.0 s
Current Load 50%

Show this scoreboard to your lecturer — highest score or longest survival wins bragging rights and stays stored on this device.

Target groove: keep the load between 45% and 55%
Tap start to drop the beat.

How to play

  • Press Start Groove to begin. The load will wander every beat.
  • Use Boost Load and Ease Load on beat to punch the stress back into the narrow safe band.
  • Pulse Shuffle gives a funky burst that snaps the load toward the groove but costs a little combo.
  • Staying in the groove builds combo multipliers. Drop out too long and you lose a life.
  • Pursue a high score or marathon time, then capture the screen and show your lecturer.
  • Rack up points before the lives hit zero, then hit Reset Stage to try again.

Portal & Data Hub

Log in to capture your tensile lab data, sync groove game scores, and export reports. Admins can review every submission in one place.

Student Login

Use the exact name and student ID that appear on the attendance sheet.

Admin Access

Enter the admin password to review every submission.

Create Account

One-time setup. Use your official name and student ID so the lecturer can verify your submission.

9. Results

Enter your experimental data below. The calculators can help you compute the final properties.

A. Initial Data & Observations

Measurement Symbol Value Units
Initial Gauge Length L0 (enter value) mm
Final Gauge Length Lf (enter value) mm
Initial Area A0 (enter value) mm²
Final Area (at fracture) Af (enter value) mm²

B. Summary of Mechanical Properties (Table 4)

Complete this table using data from your graph and the calculators. Find the reference values from the Reference section.

Property Experimental Value Reference Value Units
Modulus of Elasticity (E) (from slope) (from reference) GPa
Yield Strength (σy) (from graph/offset) (from reference) MPa
Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) (from graph) (from reference) MPa
Percent Elongation (from calculator) (from reference) %
Percent Reduction in Area (from calculator) (from reference) %

C. Stress-Strain Graph

Insert your plotted Load vs. Deformation and Stress vs. Strain graphs. On the Stress-Strain graph, you MUST mark and label the following points:

[ Your Graph(s) Here ]

D. Fracture Sketch

Sketch the final condition of your specimen after fracture. Show the location of the failure and the "necking" region.

[ Your Sketch Here ]

E. Fracture Observation

Describe the appearance of the fracture surface (e.g., "cup and cone," "flat," "granular"). This indicates the material's failure mode.

F. Ductility Calculators

Use the calculators below to compute ductility. Other properties like Yield Strength and UTS must be read from your graph.

% Elongation Calculator

Result: -- %

% Reduction in Area Calculator

Result: -- %

10. Discussion

Based on your results, answer the following questions. This is the most critical part of your report.

1. Comparison of Results in Table 4

Compare the results presented in your Table 4 (Summary of Mechanical Properties) with the reference values. Discuss the potential reasons for any difference observed in the tested specimen.

2. Comparison of Mechanical/Material Properties

Compare and contrast the mechanical and material properties of the tested materials (e.g., if you tested more than one), highlighting both similarities and differences.

3. Yield Point vs. Yield Strength

Distinguish between the yield point and yield strength on a stress-strain curve. Identify which parameter provides a more accurate indication of a material's suitability for a specific tensile application.

4. Proportional Limit vs. Elastic Limit

Differentiate between the proportional limit and the elastic limit for each material. Determine which limit is a more critical indicator of a material's mechanical behavior.

5. Advantages of Stress-Strain Diagram

Discuss the advantages of using a stress-strain diagram over a load-deformation diagram for presenting test results.

6. Specimen Type (Strip vs. Dogbone)

Compare between strip vs. dogbone specimens. Discuss any differences or criteria needed to conduct the tensile test for each.

7. Graph Comparison (Strip vs. Dogbone)

Compute the graph comparison of a strip vs. dogbone stress-strain diagram and dictate the area that could/may possibly be different.

11. Reference: Material Properties

Compare your experimental results to these typical values for common engineering materials. (Source: MAC2025 Lab Manual MEQ491 v4, Appendices)

Material Modulus of Elasticity (GPa) Yield Strength (MPa) Ultimate Strength (MPa) Poisson's Ratio
Carbon steel 190 – 210 250 – 1600 340 – 1900 0.29 – 0.3
Stainless steel 195 260 – 520 655 – 860 0.3
Gray cast iron 83 – 170 120 – 290 69 – 480 0.2 – 0.3
Brass 83 – 110 70 – 550 200 – 620 0.34
Copper 110 – 120 55 – 330 230 – 380 0.33 – 0.36
Aluminum 70 20 70 0.33

12. MEQ491 Laboratory Report Rubric

Use this rubric to self-audit your report before submission. Scroll horizontally on smaller screens to view all performance bands.

Item Excellent (9-10) Good (7-8) Satisfactory (5-6) Poor (3-4) Very Poor (0-2)
1. Appearance & Organisation
  • All sections in correct order, well formatted, very readable.
  • Pages/diagrams intact, neat layout with headings.
  • Only minor spelling/grammar slips; errors crossed out cleanly.
  • Front cover fully completed; tape/ring bound with custom typed cover.
  • Submitted as a single PDF when required.
  • Sections ordered; formatting generally good.
  • Readable and tidy, no torn pages.
  • Some spelling/grammar issues; occasional strike-through edits.
  • Missing one front-page detail (not title/name).
  • Tape/ring bound though some formatting lapses.
  • Sections present but rough formatting.
  • Some torn pages, organisation acceptable but uneven.
  • Multiple spelling/grammar errors and strike-through corrections.
  • Missing two non-title/name details.
  • Stapled without binding or cover missing required branding.
  • Sections out of order, messy formatting, torn inserts.
  • Frequent language errors and use of white-out.
  • Missing more than two details including title or names.
  • Stapled poorly; minimal organisation.

Meets most “Poor” conditions or absent submission.
2. Objectives & Theory
  • All objectives clearly rephrased in original sentences.
  • Detailed paragraph linking to prior knowledge.
  • Incorporates relevant external research.
  • Objectives identified though phrasing could be clearer.
  • Prior knowledge paragraph included.
  • Partial paraphrasing of manual content.
  • Objectives partly identified and loosely stated.
  • Heavy reliance on manual text with limited new wording.
  • Some prior knowledge described.
  • Objectives unclear or missing.
  • Minimal relevant prior knowledge.
  • Theory largely copied verbatim.

Meets most “Poor” conditions or content absent.
3. Apparatus & Procedures
  • Complete equipment list with labelled diagrams.
  • Numbered, step-by-step procedure in own words.
  • Safety tips highlighted; safety report with photo included.
  • Vital items listed with minor omissions.
  • Procedure mostly paraphrased, diagrams where needed.
  • Safety report attached but missing photo evidence.
  • Partial equipment list; key items missing.
  • Steps unclear, unnumbered, or copied directly.
  • Required diagrams absent.
  • Equipment largely missing.
  • Procedure unusable or confusing.
  • No supporting diagrams.

Meets most “Poor” conditions or content absent.
4. Results, Calculations & Graphs (×2)
  • Accurate, well-organised data showing trends clearly.
  • All figures/tables numbered, labelled, and captioned.
  • Units present; complete calculation walk-through with examples.
  • Correct data but trends less obvious.
  • Minor figure/table issues; units included.
  • Only a few calculations or equations missing.
  • Some data missing or disorganised.
  • Figures/tables incomplete; units occasionally missing.
  • Several calculations absent or incorrect.
  • Most data missing or unreliable.
  • Figures poorly constructed without labels or captions.
  • Calculations largely absent or wrong.

Meets most “Poor” conditions or content absent.
5. Discussion (×2)
  • Answers every question clearly and accurately.
  • Explains trends, compares data, and links to theory/objectives.
  • Discusses errors, their impacts, and mitigation strategies.
  • Misses one question; remaining answers clear.
  • Minor gaps in trend interpretation.
  • Notes errors and their effects.
  • Misses two questions or answers inconsistently.
  • Partial understanding of data-story link.
  • Errors mentioned without depth.
  • Misses multiple questions.
  • Little or incorrect interpretation of results.
  • No meaningful error discussion.

Meets most “Poor” conditions or content absent.
6. Conclusions
  • Summarises essential data underpinning conclusions.
  • States whether objectives were achieved and comments on validity.
  • Addresses experimental errors and proposes improvements.

Missing one “Excellent” element.

Missing two “Excellent” elements.

Missing three or more “Excellent” elements.

No conclusion provided.
7. References
  • More than nine sources spanning journals, books, and reputable online media.
  • At least 30% published within the last five years.
  • Formatted as specified in the lab manual.
  • Six to eight sources from varied media.
  • Manual formatting observed.
  • Three to five sources drawn from two media types.
  • Formatting not fully compliant.
  • Only one or two sources cited.
  • Formatting requirements ignored.

No references supplied.

Attendance rule

  • Absent students receive 0% for the report.
  • Students who conduct the experiment but fail to submit a report earn a maximum of 10%.

13. Knowledge Check Quiz

Test your understanding of the key concepts.