RO14 2.1 Mechanical properties of materials

Definition:

What the behaviour of a material under load, as forces are applied to it, depends on

List(6):

• Strength:

  • Tensile

  • Compressive

  • Yield

• Ductility

• Elasticity

• Hardness

Tensile strength, Definition:

The maximum tensile(pulling) load a material can support without breaking

Compressive strength, Definition:

The maximum compressive(squeezing) load a material can support without breaking

Yield strength, Definition:

The maximum load a material can support and still recover its original shape when the load is removed. Materials behave elastically until loaded above their yield strength, at which point some permanent stretching will occur

Ductility, Definition:

The ability of a material to be permanently stretched without breaking. Low ductility materials are brittle, which break almost immediately when loaded above their yield strength.

Elasticity, Definition:

The ability of a material to recover its original shape after being stretched or compressed. Springs depend on the elastic properties of steel to recover their shape, but they can become permanently stretched or compressed or break if they are loaded past their yield strength

Hardness, Definition:

The ability of a material to resist indentation(dents) or abrasion(scratches and wear). High hardness is often related to high strength and low ductility