What are the Mechanical properties of materials in Engineering?

The Design of any Machine elements will be started at the Material selection and the study of the Mechanical Properties of Materials. Following are the different mechanical properties of materials. Let’s see each of them.

Mechanical Properties of Materials

1. Elasticity

The ability to deform with respect to the applied load and regain its original shape when the load is removed.

Explanation: When a body is subjected to an external force the body will tend to deform. and after removing the force on the body will get its original shape.Example materials

Rubber(Natural/synthetic)

Measurement

Young’s modulus/ Modulus of elasticity: N/mm²

 

2. Plasticity

The ability of non-reversible deformation with respect to the applied load.

When a load is applied the body is subjected to deformation.  when the load is removed it will not get its original shape

Explanation: It is a permanent deformation. When a body is subjected to an external force the body will tend to deform. and after removing the force on the body will not get its original shape. it will maintain the nonreversible deformation.

Example materials

Soft waxes

The Metals used in machines will have very less Plasticity index.

 

3. Ductility

The ability to deform under tensile stress this is often characterized by the material’s ability to be stretched into a wire.

Explanation:  When a body subjected to tensile load. the ability to draw the material into wires is possible. The materials which are rich in elasticity will have better ductility.

Example materials

Copper, aluminium.

 

4. Malleability

The ability to be stretched/deformed/ moulded into a sheet.

Explanation:  When a body subjected to tensile load. the ability to draw the material into wires is possible.The materials which are rich in elasticity will have better malleability.

Example materials

Gold and silver.

 

 

5. Stiffness

The ability of a material to resist deformations under the application of loads.

Explanation:  When a body subjected to load. the body can resist the deformations

 

Measurement: N/mm    (Load / Deformation )

This property Consider in the design of springs.

 

6. Brittleness

The ability to breaks without significant deformation/develop cracks with respect to the applied load.

Example materials

Wood concrete, cast-iron.

 

7. Hardness

The ability to resist the scratches, marks, and wear & tear when the body subjected to contact with another body.

Example materials

Glass, diamond

This property will highly consider when designing of the sliding parts.

 

8. Toughness

The ability to resist the shock loads or impact loads

The amount of energy per unit volume that a material can absorb before rupturing.

This property Consider in the design of springs.