Often materials are subject to external force when they are used. Mechanical Engineers calculate those forces and material scientists how materials deform or break as a function of force, time, temperature, and other conditions. Materials scientists learn about these mechanical properties by testing materials.
Some of the important mechanical properties of a metals are Brittleness, Creep, Ductility, Elasticity, Fatigue, Hardness, Malleability, Plasticity, Resilience, Stiffness, Toughness, Yield strength. Above mechanical properties of metals are explained below in brief.
Brittleness:
Tendency of a material to fracture or fail upon the application of a relatively small amount of force, impact or shock.
Creep:
When a metal is subjected to a constant force at high temperature below its yield point, for a prolonged period of time, it undergoes a permanent deformation.
Ductility:
Ductility is the property by which a metal can be drawn into thin wires. It is determined by percentage elongation and percentage reduction in area of a metal.
Elasticity:
Elasticity is the tendency of solid materials to return to their original shape after being deformed.
Fatigue:
Fatigue is the of material weakening or breakdown of material subjected to stress, especially a repeated series of stresses.
Hardness:
Hardness is the ability of a material to resist permanent change of shape caused by an external force.
Malleability:
Malleability is the property by which a metal can be rolled into thin sheets.
Plasticity:
Plasticity is the property by which a metal retains its deformation permanently, when the external force applied on it is released.
Resilience:
Resilience is the ability of a metal to absorb energy and resist soft and impact load.
Stiffness:
When an external force is applied on a metal, it develops an internal resistance. The internal resistance developed per unit area is called stress. Stiffness is the ability of a metal to resist deformation under stress.
Toughness:
When a huge external force is applied on a metal, the metal will experience fracture. Toughness is the ability of a metal to resist fracture.
Yield strength:
The ability of a metal to bear gradual progressive force without permanent deformation.
