2.5. Tension tests
Flat tensile specimens, having gauge length of 17 mm and
cross-section of 4 mm × 4 mm, were fabricated following the recommendation
of ASTM standard E-8M-00 (ASTM, 2000). Tension
tests were carried out at room temperature on a computer controlled
universal testing machine (model: Schimadzu AG 5000G)
at a nominal strain rate of 10−3/s, and load-elongation data was
recorded. A computer program was used to convert the experimental
load-elongation data into the corresponding engineering
stress–strain and true stress–strain values after suitable modification
of the data to eliminate the machine displacement component.
The tensile fracture surfaces were examined using SEM.