Mechanical Properties

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Stress:

-The internal resistance to a material when subjected to a load or force.

-Types of stress: normal stress and shear stress.

-Unit of measurement: Pascal (Pa).

Strain:

The intensity or degrees of distortion of a material.

-Elastic strain: Material returns to original shape/size after force is removed.

-Plastic strain: Material remains distorted after force is removed.

Types of Forces

Tension:

A force pulls away on a materials surface from either side parallel to each other.

Compression:

A forces pushes inwards on a materials surface from either sides.

Shear:

A force pulls on either side of a material causing it to screw < >

Youngs Modulus:

The modulus of elasticity is measurement of how strong or flexible a material is.

-Rubber bands have low youngs modulus.

-Steel has high youngs modulus.

Tensile testing:

A test where a material is subjected to a controlled force until it fractures.

-From this test we can determine what the material may be used for.

Ductility:

The elongation and reduction in area of a material after a tensile test tells us the materials ductility

Strain Hardening:

Making a material stronger through plastic deformation.

Damping Capacity:

-Loading and unloading a force to test a materials ability to absorb vibrations.

-Longer damping capacity means a greater ability to absorb vibrations.

Creep:

-Materials exposed to a force/load over long periods of time will deform of fracture.

Metals exposed to temperatures close to its melting point will cause the material to fail.