Engineering

ASM International has a program to teach high school science teachers about materials science. One of the projects they would like to use as part of this program is a tensile testing fixture. The idea would be to do a simple tensile test using small diameter wire. The first thought would be 20 to24 gage copper wire as the material to test. A second test using a polymer like fishing line, aluminum or iron wire would also be considered.

The purpose of this test would be to demonstrate how a tensile test is done. Also, by using different diameter wires the distinction between load and stress could be explained. Further, by comparing different materials, the variation in properties of different materials could be explored.

The fixture must be capable of measuring load and deflection. The test must be repeatable, and have sufficient accuracy to produce meaningful data.

The fixture must be easy to make, portable, inexpensive and not require weights.

Objective:

Develop a fixture and test procedure for high school science teacher to use and demonstrate a tensile test

Test requirements

-Be capable of testing

Materials : copper aluminum steel polymer Size : 18-24 gages

Issues to be addressed:

Availability of weights

Repeatability

Accuracy

Grips for wire so it breaks in gage length

Tensile test fixture:

Portable inexpensive easy to build easy to store