PROD 3: Material Testing in the Workshop

Material Testing in the Workshop

Workshop testing for metals can be carried out for the following properties:

• hardness
• ductility and malleability
• tensile strength
• toughness

Hardness Testing

The ability of the material to resist abrasive wear, indentation or deformation.

Using a dot punch, and a hammer, an indent is created in the material. It is important that the same amount of force is exerted by the hammer when striking the dot punch to ensure a fair test between sample pieces. When comparing lead and mild steel, for example, the former will have produced a larger indentation by comparison, as lead is a very soft metal, allowing it to be used as flashing between roofs. Mild steel, on the other hand, is harder and is often used in the car industry for car body parts.

Alternatively, you can run a file over the surface of the material. If the file cuts, then the material is soft, or rather softer then the file. If it does not cut, then the material is harder.

Ductility and Malleability Testing

The…