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MECH1280Engineering Materials

Lab Design Brief

• A new local mini go-karting company are building a make-shift outdoor track for kids (aged between 710 years). They need a safety barrier around the track perimeter that is 10 metres away from the track. The barrier would need to be able to absorb energy from an impacting kart, must withstand loads of up to 1 kN before failure and impact speeds of up to 10 km/h. Each barrier section must be no higher than 0.5 m and 1 m in length. The

company would like to know what the most suitable material is for their application.

• Note: that this is a commercial company that wants to appeal to as many customers as possible.

Testing Materials

Material InformationMaterial Density,

ρ E G Tensile

strengthEconomic cost

Fibreboard (MDF)Medium Density

sandwich panelCarbon fibre/foam

Plywood

Plywood

500-600 kg/m3

? ? 0.25 ? £10/m2

Carbon fibre-foam panel unknown ? unknown ? £204/ m2

Medium density

fibreboard(MDF)

700-800 kg/m3

? ? 0.25 ? £17.5/ m2

Three Point Bending

Objectives

To complete this laboratory assignment you need to:-• Carry out a three-point bend test using an Instron

machine• Use the data obtained in testing to derive

mechanical properties• Justify use of a three-point bend test to derive the

required properties and demonstrate an understanding of other test methods that might provide useful information

• Select a material that meets a specification, and provide a rationale for the choice

Deliverables• Assignment – which should be completed on an individual basis

• Word document template can be downloaded on the MINERVA. Type up your answers, copy and paste the excel graphs and attach your handwritten (or typed) calculations

• All documents needed are on the MINERVA in Learning Resources

• The experimental data is for all of the materials tested is also on Minerva.

• Deadline: As specified on the MINERVA deadlines page

• Hand in is via MINERVA “Submit My Work”