Introduction to mechanical testing

This teaching and learning package is based on laboratory experiments used in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge. The package looks at how the microstructure of a material can affect its properties. It is split into two experiments: the first part introduces tensile testing and stress-strain curves, while the second part uses three-point bending, as introduced in the Beam Stiffness TLP.

Photograph of a copper specimen undergoing tensile testing

Aims Introduction Theory 1: Tensile testing Theory 2: Precipitation hardening in alloys Method Results 1 Theory 3: Heat treatment of copper Results 2 Notes on tensile testing Results 3 Summary Questions Going further

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First created: April 2004.