MAT4444

Report: Investigating the mechanical property of Epoxy by tensile testing

Results
The data collected from the experiment carried out has been plotted in Figure 1. The test was carried out over 43.121 seconds. It shows the effect of the increase in displacement length (mm) on
the amount of force (N). There is a positive correlation between the two variables untill the extension value (mm) reaches over 3.5mm when there is an exponential decrease in the load (N).
2500

2000

1500

Load (N)

1000

500

0 -0.5

O 0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

Extension (mm)

Figure 1: The load (force) verses Extension (displaced length) of an Epoxy sample

The stiffness value has been calculated using the Hookes law. On Table 1, ten different points from the graph has been used to compare the decreasing stiffness value (N/mm) against the increasing extension value (mm) and load (N).

Time (s) 0.50 4.90 9.30 13.7 18.1 22.5 26.9 31.3 35.7 40.1

Extension (mm) 0.0229 0.389 0.756 1.123 1.49 1.86 2.22 2.59 2.96 3.32

Load (N) 66.0 440 743 992 1,240 1,460 1,690 1,900 2,090 2,270

Stiffness (N/mm) 2880 1130 983 883 831 789 759 732 707 682

Table 1: The values of extension, load and stiffness of the Epoxy sample throughout the tensile test.

Hookes Law Hookes law states that the extension produced in a (linearly) elastic material is directly proportional to the load which produced it (Hannah and Hillier 1999,p 272) that is:

F kx
Where F is the force (load) applied, x is the extension length and k is the constant. k is dependent on the mechanical property of the material being tested; therefore k is calculated to find the stiffness value. So, F= kx k=

Discussion
Stiffness

Stiffness is the rigidity of a substance. It is the way an elastic object resists being deformed when a force is applied to it. It is a property that depends on the physical form of the object. (Du Toit 2009, p33) The stiffness value that has been calculated can be used to find out how flexible the epoxy sample is when load is applied to it; this also determines the maximum load the sample can withstand. Epoxy resin adhesives are quite versatile is because they possess a combination of such desirable characteristics as ease of cure, low shrinkage during cure, high adhesive strength, good mechanical properties, and good chemical resistance when cured. (Simpson and Soper, 1970). Another characteristic epoxy requires for the adequacy of its function is stiffness.

Figure 1 shows the epoxy sample being stretched out by the increasing load till the point of fracture. This can be clearly seen from the graph when the fracture occurs, extension (mm) stops increasing and the load (N) drops. The graph obeys Hookes law between O to A as it shows the straight linear line representing the direct proportionality. ASTM standards The specimen that was loaded onto the Instron load frame was shaped like a dumbbell so that it meets the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test standards. The ASTM aims to to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade, and build consumer confidence.(ASTM International). This means that the Epoxy sample is subject to certain requirements by the ASTM standards to ensure the tensile tests competence. The dumbbell shape is simply required so that it can be held firmly by the grips of the loading frame; in contrast to fracture caused in the area actually being gripped due to lack of the dumbbell shape.

Evaluation In the test, it is not taken account to the length and/or area of the epoxy sample stick. This can create misleading results because greater the area, the greater the load that can be carried. Hence, the intensity of load or stress and strain should be calculated instead. (Hannah and Hillier 1999,p 275)

I.e.

Stress= Strain=

= =

The relationship between stress and strain can be found to estimate Youngs modulus. Ultimate Tensile Strength can be calculated to determine the maximum load the specimen sustains during the test.

Conclusion The mechanical property of the Epoxy sample has been successfully measured using this tensile test. It is found that the epoxy sample has more stiff property than elastic one. There may have been human and/or experimental errors so the test should be repeated and compared to increase reliability. Using known measurements of epoxy sample- length and area to calculate Youngs modulus and draw stress- strain curves graph can develop the test.

References

Astm.org. 2013. ASTM International - Detailed Overview. [online] Available at: http://www.astm.org/ABOUT/full_overview.html]. Favilla, S. 2010. Tensile Testing Laboratory. [online] Available at: http://stephanfavilla.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/tensile-testing-laboratory.pdf

Hannah, J and Hillier, M.J (1999). Mechanical Engineering Science. England: Pearson Education Limited. 272. Roylance, D. 2001. Stress-strain curves. [online] Available at: http://web.mit.edu/course/3/3.11/www/modules/ss.pdf

Zhang, L (2001). Solid Mechanics for Engineers. Hampshire: Palgrave. 89.