An investigation of the effects of an impact on some of the mechanical properties of aluminum alloy 2014-T6

Static and impact tests were conducted on an Aluminum alloy 2014-T6 specimen. The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of an impact load on some of the mechanical properties of aluminum. The cross section of the specimen measured 4.438 in. by 3.850 in. and it was 12 in. long. It was equipped with a total of four electric resistance gages connected in two pairs. One pair measured longitudinal strain while the other measured transverse strain. Both gages in each pair were mounted on the opposite sides to cancel the bending effect. In the static tests, load was applied with a 300,000 lb. hydraulic testing machine. The longitudinal and transverse strains were read off a Budd strain indicator and recorded against the load. The specimen was then placed in a load frame with a load cell underneath the specimen and a floating head sitting flush on the top. A 2 in. diameter hardened steel ball was welded on the floating head. The ball served as a striking surface for a 107 lb. hammer dropping from a known height. The hammer was guided by two wires, tensioned vertically. An impact load was produced as the hammer, falling freely, struck the floating head of the load frame which contained the specimen. The load was transmitted to the specimen and then to the load cell --Abstract, page ii