4.10.3

Properties of Materials

Test yourself

Tensile Strength

The tensile strength of a material is the amount of stress that can be withstood by the material in stretching it out. There are many different types of strength:

Illustrative background for Yield strengthIllustrative background for Yield strength ?? "content

Yield strength

  • The yield strength of a material is the stress value at the yield point.
    • This is the yy-coordinate of the yield point.
Illustrative background for Fracture strengthIllustrative background for Fracture strength ?? "content

Fracture strength

  • The fracture strength of a material is the stress value at the fracture point.
    • This is the yy-coordinate of the fracture point.
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Ultimate tensile strength

  • The ultimate tensile strength of a material is the maximum stress it can withstand at any point while the load is applied to extend it.
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Brittle materials

  • For brittle materials, the yield strength, fracture strength and the ultimate tensile strength are equal.

Behaviour of Materials

You need to know about the following ways that materials can behave under stress.

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Malleability

  • Malleable materials are easy to shape and can be hammered into a sheet.
    • Gold is the most malleable metal.
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Creep

  • Creep is the gradual deformation of a material under constant tensile stress that is lower than the yield strength.
  • Creep can be caused by the material deforming under its own weight.
  • For example, the tiles used to make roofs can creep over time, leading to leaks.
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Fatigue

  • Fatigue is the deformation and ultimate fracture of a material due to a cyclic load that is placed upon it.
    • A cyclic load is a load that repeats over time.
  • Fatigue starts with a small crack that grows with each load cycle.

Jump to other topics

1Principles of Science I

1.1Structure & Bonding

1.2Properties of Substances

1.3Cell Structure & Function

1.4Cell Specialisation

1.5Tissue Structure & Function

1.6Working with Waves

1.7Waves in Communication

2Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

3Science Investigation Skills

4Principles of Science II

4.1Extracting Elements

4.2Relating Properties to use of Substances

4.3Organic Chemistry

4.4Energy Changes in Industry

4.5The Circulatory System

4.6Ventilation & Gas Exchange

4.7Urinary System

4.8Cell Transport

4.9Thermal Physics

4.10Materials

4.11Fluids

5Contemporary Issues in Science

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