MET0102300 – Universal Testing Machine

Description

Estimated time: 0.50 hours

To measure the tensile properties of a steel requires you to extend a test piece at a fixed speed and continuously measure the extension as the applied force, or load increases, as you would expect from Hookes law up to the elastic limit and beyond. The test piece and the set-up of the machine need specifications that are published by a standards organisation. This specifies the sample preparation, fixturing, gauge length, analysis, etc.

The test piece is placed in the machine between the grips and an extensometer if required can automatically record the change in gauge length during the test. The machine not only records the change in length of the specimen but also all other extending / elastic components of the testing machine and its drive systems including any slipping of the specimen in the grips.

Once the machine is started it begins to apply an increasing load on specimen. Throughout the tests the control system and its associated software record the load and extension or compression of the specimen. From the load-elongation data the machine calculates the stress and strain.