TORSION TEST

INTRODUCTION
orsion testing provides a method for deternnining the Modulus ofRigidity, the shearing yield
strength, and the ultimate slhearstrength. Application is for testing parts such asaxles, shafts,
couplings and twist drills. It can also be used for testing brittle materigls. It has an advantage
over the other tesls, as there is no necking or friction. More so it's results arc applicable to
larger strains, compared to the tensile test.

The other tests which can be done with a Torsion Testing Machine include the determination of
upper and lower yield strengths for nornalised steel specimens, demonstration of the
Bausohinger effect,and other effects related to work hardening andheat
treatment.

OBJECTIVES
To carry out a torsion test to destruction, on a straight cylinder test specimenby applying
increasing torques. To observe the deformation ofthe specimen and determine:
(i) The Modulus of rigidity

(ii)The shear stress at the limit of proportionality

(ii)The general characteristics of the torque, angle of twist relationship.

THEORY
For a shaft under pure torsion the angle of twist is. proportionalto the applicd torque, provided
the stress is within the clastic linit. The angle of tvistis also proportional to the length ofshaft
over which twist is measured. From the general torsion theory for a circular specimen: -
T GO T

Where T -is the applied extermal torque,constant over (he length L,(Nn)
J -isthe polar second noment of area of the sliaft cross-section (nm')
- is teradius (mm)
z -is the shear stress at a radius r,(Nmm)
G -is the Modulus of Rigidity(N/mm)
9 -is the angle of twist in radians measured over a length L

This result shows that if the applied torque is pltted against twist per unit length of the bar,
then the Modulus of Rigidity can be derived from the gradient of the gaph. When this graph
starts deviating from linearity, it nay be assumedthat the shear stress at the outer radius of the
bar is just causing plastic deformation at the outer šurface. Use of the nbove expression hus
permits an cstimalc of the shcar yicld stress o the mnterial.

As the torque is this stage some of the material is plstic and some elastic
increascd beyond
thus of the "Torque versus Twist per unit lenguy", graplh in terns of material
interprclation

properties becomes complex. Infact tlie only easily derived property is a. relative indicalion of
ductility of materials by the deformation, whiclh the material can sustain before frnclure. This
being the case, one,may question the value of torsion testing against tension ör compression
test, in which all the nmaterial within the gauge length may be assumed to be subjected to
uniform stress and strain. This undoubtedly is the reason why the torsion (est is notso widely
used, however there are also some arguineits in its favour for specific cirumstances.
(a) When a material is to be used in torsion,it is more reliableto use properties derived from a
torsion test.
(b)Fundamentally it is the shear stress deveioped in a
material that causes yíelding, whatever
the type of loaing. A test that applics shear stress dircctly therefore has a theoretical
attraction, although this value is tempered by the non-uniformity of stress discussed above.
This disadvantage can be reduced to large extent by using thìn tubular specimens, but
then
the specimensare expensive to nake and difficult to grip. Thus provided one is prepared to
take the trouble, torsion testing has applications in specialised theoretical studies.

APPARATUS
()Torsion Testing Machine, (ii) torsiometer, (ii) steel rule and (iv) micrometer.
The SMI Torsion Testing Machine can measure up t 30 Nm torque. The loads,are applied
Imanually through a 60:1 reduction gearbox. The torgue is reacted by a torsion bar whose
movement, relative to the displacenment am is neasured by,a linear poteotiometer connected to
a TQ Digital Torque Meter.

Angular rotation is applied to oue end of the specimen by means of a reduction gear,

protractors being provided to measure this rotation,and torque developed in the specimen is
balanced and measured at the otlher end of the specimen. This neasurement of angular
rotation

is not accurate enough to examine the elastic behaviour of the specimen. Consequently a

separate torsiometer is used during the clastic range to. measure twist of the specimen over a
known gauge length (50mm).

Protractor scales only give an approximate measureof the twist of thespecimen. owever in

the elastic range where the load inereases rapidly even for. sialltwists of specimenand
therefore high accuracy is required, is recommendedthat a torsiometer should be used.
it
PROCEDJRE
1. Measure the overalllength and diameter ofthe test section of the specimen.

2. Draw a line down the length of the test section of the specimen with a pencil (this serves as
visual aid to the degree oftwist being put on the specimen during loading).

3. Attach the torsiometer to. the specimen. Mount the specimen fimly in the Torsion Testing.
Machine. Set the zeros for twist measurement on the torsiometor, protractor scale,dial
gauge and revolutioncounter.

4. Apply increments of twist. For forward. loading, rotate the input hand wheel clokwise until
the input shaft has rotated, say by 0.5°, Then return the reading on thedial gauge to zero by
rotating the levelling hand wheel.

S. Foreach increment of strain record the following;

() Angle of twist ofthe specimen in degrees
(ii) Applied torque
(ii) Angle oftwist over the S0 mm gauge length in radlans, as recorded by the dial gauge
indicator.

6. Repeat the above procedure until the specimen yields. When the. elastic limit has been
passed, continue with the tet to destruction withincreasing increments of strain, recording
the angle of twist in degrees andthe applied torque for each strain increment.
Note that in the plastic range larget increments in the angles of twist cair be applicd. (Never
reverse the direction oftwisting).
2
 GRAPHS AND COMPUTATION

. Using the tabulated

large
resulls,

scale for the elastic

plot a graph of Torque "7" against
range.
the angle of twist 0', with a

of Rigidity, Also from

,
2. Use the slope of this grapl to determinc the value of the Modulus
this graph, determine he Torque and thes calculate the shear siress at yield for eacli

material tested.

angle of wilh small scale for for the

Plot another graph of applied torque against twist a
3.

complete test to destruction.

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

1. Comunent on the apparatus and proceduresused.

2. State, and conment upOn, each of the values obtainedfrom the experinent,

3. Comnent upon the overall resulls obtained from the test.

4. Estimate the accuracy with which the Modulus ofRigidity has been dotermimed.
the Modulus of Rigidity using the angle of twist
5. Discuss the errors involved in deterinining
witl the value found by using the
fron the machine dial, and compare the results obtained
Torsiometer.
the overall behaviour
6. Note and describe the characler of failure in each case, and compar
of materials being lested.
to be nore clearly de fined in
7. Discuss whether you would expect the limit of proportionality
test.
the torsion test compared to a tensile

APPENDIX

Suggested Increments ofStrain

during the
To ensure thiat an adequate number of values are obtained ron the test, particularly
strain increments are recoIninended.
elastic region of strain, the following

Code Strain
Specinen
Increment

0.1% C 220M07 as drawn MT ÍS 0.5°

C220M07 nornialised at 900°C MT 15N 0.20

0.1%
0.4% C 212M36 as drawn MT 40 0.50

212M36 860°C MT 40N 0.4°

0.4% C normalised at

Brass CZ 106
MT X 0.5°

MCI 0.50
High phosphorous grey cast iron
BS 1482 grade 180 Aluminiun alloy
2014A-76 solution trcaled S05°C for 1 hour, MTR 1.0°

water quenched arti ficially aged 185°C for 6

hours.

4
 35
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION

Figure 1 SM1 Torsion testing machine

The SMI Torsion Testing Macliine enables (orward and (1s slhoivi in Figure 3), wlose novement, relative to the

rcvcrse on standard 6 mm TO torsion specimens,

lests displacenent arn,is measred by a linear potentiometer
and otlher hexagon ended specimens requiring torques of comected to a TQ Digital Forque Meter. This ijeter is

supplied as slandard with the apparatus and'is calibrated

up to 30 Nn. With additional chucks (optional extra)
it
can also be used for testing wire up to a length
of0.7 u1. lo give a readout of torque in Nm or lb.in (seeSection 4

is lustrated in Figure 2. page 7).

The apparatus
o1
through a 60:1
The Ioads are applied manually

reduction genrbOX. TIe lorque is rencted by a (orsion bar

Shalt Delleclion
GeatbOx
arm
Torque
Revolulion Hexegonel shal
Input handwheel wlth
counter sOckels
protraclor scale
6
Levelling
handwheol.

360° prolractor
scale

Dlal Torque méler

Adjuslable Base Geabo% carrlage
gauge output socket
feet (2) 1ocking screws (2)

Llnpar
polenlpmeter

2 Layout of lhe iorsion lesling machine

Figurs

Pago
1.
Note thc clastic Iimit has been
sOme may be found uinecessaiy o use the torsiometer after

removedfrom the specimeiand,readings

it
tests of twist:
torsiometer can be
reached. in this case, the
laken directly form the machinescales.

ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

List the apparatus used.

Materials used
Dimensioned drawing of the specimen

RESULTS

Initial diameter ofthe specimen

Finaldiameter of the specinen
Gauge length of the specimen
Iniial overall length of specimen
1l32
Finai overall lengthof specimen 13a-1

Torque Aingle turmed by

Angle tutned by Torsiometer reading
(Ni) head (rads)
bead (deg) (rads x 10

O26
35 9-30
025
45
5,0
5.5
6.0 050:
6.5
O5:
7-5 40 -059
5
54
100
105 54
Modulus of Rigidity (G)

Maximum Shear stress

Shear stress at yield

3
 unncceSsary to U8c (ho lorsiometcraltCrhoclastic liit has be
reaced. n thiscase, the torsiometer can be removed from
the specifne pnd readings gf tur
laken directly form the machine scales.

ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

List the apparatus
used.
• Materialsused
• Dimensiondd drawing of the specimern

RESULTS
nitialdiameter of the specimnen
Finaldiameter of thespecinnen
Gauge length of the specimen
5mn
lenghof specimen
Inìtialoverall

Final overall lengthof

specinmen
1321

Angle turned by Torsiomeler reading Torque Aigle turmed by

head (deg) (rads x 10° (Ni) head (rads)

125

15-0
013
16-9
16.5
17-0
17-5
12:0
)15
|4.0

24 080
Bheaking

Modulus of Rigidity (G)

Maximum Shear stress
Shear stress at yield