Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering and Design
Silliman University
Material Testing
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in ME 56-Materials Science and Engineering for ME
Submitted to:
Engr. Louie Pierre O. Equio
Faculty of the College of Engineering and Design
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Silliman University
Submitted by:
Gador, Dartagnan Brandt M.
Manlucot, Xamwell John A.
Grajo, Rafael M.
Jumalon, Eirl Joshua M.
March 2024
Material Testing
Material Testing is a method at which a specific specimen is taken from a sample material which
undertakes a series of tests to determine its mechanical or chemical properties. It plays an important
role in multiple facets of society. The results from these tests verify a material's qualities, whether
it can be used in certain projects, simple, or complex. These tests provide a lot of companies’ ways
to better understand the materials they produce, helping them to know which hole to fix and the
strengths of their material.
Why is Material Testing Important?
Material Testing ensures the quality of material, exposing it to multiple scenarios and seeing if it
can withstand it. With this, consumers can pick the material of their preference for their specific
projects feeling at ease knowing that their project will be a success since the material they chose
is up to their standards.
What is the main testing standard that people use for material testing?
In material testing, the main testing standard used would be the ASTM International also known
as the American Society for Testing and Materials. ASTM provides a wide range of testing
methods for a wide range of materials. The testing procedures cover most aspects of the materials.
These set standards help provide consistency and accuracy in material testing across different
corporations and laboratories. Compliance with the standard oftentimes is required to get material
certification, this also helps strengthen the name of the corporation where the material is coming
from.
Types of Material Testing:
Material testing has categories, and these categories have sub-categories, each sub-category
focuses on a certain aspect of the material tested:
a. Physical properties testing – this testing involves the physical characteristics of a
material, density, hardness, color, etc. This testing, unlike mechanical properties testing, is
non-destructive, which means that the material tested is not subjected to external forces,
rather, it is measured and observed, giving the material vague descriptions compared to
mechanical properties testing where descriptions are in-depth.
b. Mechanical properties testing – this testing involves testing the physical characteristics
of a material while it is subjected to external forces, seeing how the material reacts to
different levels of forces. This involves testing for materials, tensile strength, flexural
strength, compression strength, shear strength, and many more. This is as important as the
advertisement of the material itself since the mechanical properties of the materials are
what sell it in the first place.
c. Chemical properties testing - This testing involves the testing of the molecular
characteristics of a material, seeing how it reacts when it is exposed to different substances.
Unlike mechanical properties testing, the changes in the material cannot be seen by the
naked eye but can only be observed at a molecular or atomic level. This involves testing
for the materials, Chemical composition analysis, chemical reactivity, combustibility
testing, etc. This is important since the materials can be exposed to nature and seeing how
they react when exposed to harsh chemicals can provide customers with a basis for their
durability.
Applications of Material Testing
Material Testing plays a major role in modern society since the ability of a material to
survive/endure different situations will provide people a basis for whether they are suitable for
different projects, it ensures the quality, safety, and reliability of the material used in different
projects and structures. Many industries rely on material testing, from construction, aerospace, and
automotive, all the way to medical, and basic consumer goods. Material testing helps prevent
failures caused by faulty materials, improves project/product longevity, and supports innovation
in the fields of engineering and material science.
Reference:
What is Material Testing?(2023).[Link]
is-material
testing#:~:text=Materials%20testing%20is%20a%20well,steel%2C%20composite%20materials
%20and%20ceramics.
Material testing blog. (2024). [Link]
testing-types-equipment-and-challenges
Klaunig, J. E., & Kamendulis, L. M. (2010). Carcinogenicity*. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 117–138).
[Link]
Materials Testing Applications | Stable Micro Systems. (n.d.). Stable Micro Systems.
[Link]
Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. (2023, July 17). American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) | Partner ESI. [Link]
society-testing-and-materials-
astm/#:~:text=Currently%20known%20as%20ASTM%20International,of%20international%20vol
untary%20consensus%20standards.
