INTRODUCTION:

A compression test is a method for determining the behavior of materials under a compressive load. Compression tests are conducted by loading the test specimen between two plates and then applying a force to the specimen by moving the crossheads together. The compression test is used to determine elastic limit, proportionality limit, yield point, yield strength and compressive strength. Compressive Strength: It is the maximum compressive stress that a material is capable of withstanding without fracture. Brittle materials fracture during testing and have a definite compressive strength values. The compressive strength of ductile materials is determined by their degree of distortion during testing.

Result:
Compression test Material Diameter (mm) Cross-sectional area (mm2) Youngs Modulus (GPa) Load at Yield point (N) Yield strength (MPa) Maximum load (N) Ultimate tensile strength (MPa) % Elongation Fracture strength ( kN/m2) Aluminum alloy 5.00 19.63 70 20300 95 50000 110 8.89 10341.3

Discussion:
The compression test is carried out by using an Aluminum specimen in only one time. The specimens are loaded axially up to failure or any other prescribed level whereby the specimen is deformed and the axial and the radial deformation can be measured using equipment. The obtained result could be slightly difference from theoretical case. The concentricity between the specimen and device was not good. Thats why the graph plotted by software was not seemed to be reasonable in comparison with one in book.

 After deformation, the shape of specimen was not like our expected one. If we choose a brittle material instead of aluminum, the result will be much different. Generally, the compression test is performed with brittle materials Conclusion: One small aluminum specimen has been successfully tested. Compression strength approaching 10341.3 kN/m2 has been measured. A number of results indicate that failure initiates within or immediately adjacent to the gage section, as intended. The standard deviation of the compression strengths is low, which is consistent with the mechanism of compressive failure. A fortunate characteristic of compression testing is that almost all likely sources of error will lead to a conservative estimate of strength. The most severe error occurs when the specimen is loaded with nonparallel surfaces and is forced to bend.