265 CE Materials
2004
Pandey/Straube
Lab Report : Tensile Testing of Polymers
To better understand the properties of polymers, tensile testing will be carried out in the laboratory. Four different specimens will be tested: low-density polyethylene (LDP), high-density polyethylene (HDP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonates (Lexan) and natural polyisoprene (Rubber). Each sample shall be subjected to a tensile load until the point of failure or until the machine had reached its maximum displacement. Data will be collected and stress-strain curves plotted and interpreted.
1.0 - INTRODUCTION See General Lab Report Format on line 2.0 DATA ANALYSIS
2.1 DETAILS OF SAMPLES Describe the material, shape, etc. of specimens. 1) LDP: Low density polyethylene, thermoplastic polymer 2) HDP: High density polyethylene, thermoplastic polymer 3) PVC: Polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic polymer 4) Lexan: Polycarbonates, thermoplastic polymer 5) Rubber: Natural polyisoprene, elastomer Use the text, library, and the internet for general properties. You should read Chapter 34 of your textbook prior to completing this lab report. It provides much of the information you will need.
CE 265 Materials
2004
Pandey/Straube
2.2 SPECIMEN GEOMETRY Table 1.1 Specimen Dimensions Prior to Tensile Test LDP Width (mm) (Wo) Thickness (mm) (to) Gauge Length (mm) (Lo) Area (mm2) (Ao) HDP PVC Rubber Lexan
Figure 1 Specimen Dimension
2.3 DETAIL OF TESTING EQUIPMENT Describe the testing Include equipment a photo or schematic
Figure 2: Test Set-up 2.4 TEST PROCEDURE Describe how the test was performed
CE 265 Materials
2004
Pandey/Straube
2.5 MEASURED DATA Table 1.2 Specimen Dimensions After Tensile Test LDP Width (mm) (Wf) Thickness (mm) (tf) Gauge Length (mm) (Lf) Area (mm2) (Af) HDP PVC Rubber Lexan
Determine the yield, maximum, and failure values of load and displacement from the load displacement data provided by the machine.
Table 2.3 Measured Load and displacement LDP Yield Load (kN) Yield Disp. (mm) Max Load (kN0 Max Load Disp. (mm) Failure Load (kN) Failure Disp. (mm) HDP PVC Rubber Lexan
2.6 PLOTS Plots of Engineering Stress vs Strain are required for each specimen (Refer to the steel tensile test lab)
CE 265 Materials
2004
Pandey/Straube
2.7 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES Table 2.4 Mechanical Properties LDP Youngs Modulus (GPa) Yield Stress...