Materials test report
1) The characteristics being tested
Testing the tensile strength of radiarta pine and plywood. (Tensile strength is the ability of timber to resist forces, which pull the fibres apart with the direction of grain.)
2) Reasons for testing
I am designing and manufacturing a table. The table needs to hold plates of food etc.
3) A prediction of results
I predicted the radiarta pine would be strongest followed by furniture grade plywood and then second grade plywood.
4) Testing procedure – step by step
* Measure dimensions of each piece of timber
* Marked the middle of each piece of timber
* Marked 40mm in from each side of each piece of timber
* Clamped the timber 40mm in, to each bench
* Placed tape on the floor as a marker
* Measured from the floor to timber top
* Added 0.5 kilo weight on the center of timber and then measured height
* Repeat above step adding 1 kilo at a time for each piece of timber
5) A diagram of the test set-up
6) Numerical results in table or graph form
7) Observation in writing
* Timber was different thickness
* Second grade plywood had holes
* Radiarta pine was smooth
* Benches were different heights
* Second grade plywood bowed significantly and eventually snapped
* Furniture grade plywood bowed but didn’t snap
* Radiarta pine bowed but not as much
8) Analysis and interpretation of results
9) Consequences for material use
For my table I’d use radiarta pine because it’s the strongest and will look the best after it’s painted.
10) An evaluation of the testing procedure
We tried to be scientifically accurate however they weren’t entirely accurate because we didn’t measure from the same place every time.