Mechanical Testing of Materials

Mechanical tests are done to determine mechanical properties by deformation or by destruction.

i. Tensile Test:
The results obtained by tensile test are widely used in the design of materials for structures and other
purposes.

ii. Compression Test:

It is opposite of the tensile test and performed for ductile and brittle materials. Difficulties in performing the

test are:

- Non-parallel top and bottom faces of specimen leads to difficult axial loading.

- Specimen Length is short (about twice of its diameter) to avoid buckling.

- Friction Between ends of specimen and machine affects test results.

iii. Hardness Test:

Hardness test is done to know metal resistance against indentation, penetration and abrasion.

iv. Fatigue Test:

Fatigue failure is caused by repeated stress cycles (reversal of direction of bending or torsion or

alternating compressive and tensile stresses application and removal of stresses). A fatigue crack starts

at some point of stress concentration. The Stress that produces fatigue failure is smaller than the ultimate

tensile stress.

v. Creep Test:
Materials loaded for long periods may gradually deform, and fracture at a stress that is well below the
ultimate tensile stress. This continuous gradual extension under a steady load or steady stress is known
as Creep. Creep is critical at high temperatures and for low-melting-point metals at room temperature.

Official website: http://bu.edu.eg/staff/alielgazar3