Definition Of Mechanical Properties

Tensile Strength : This is the ability of a material to withstand tensile loads without rupture when the material is in tension.

Compressive Strength : This is the ability of a material to withstand Compressive (squeezing) loads without being crushed when the material is in compression .

Shear Strength : This is the ability of a material to withstand offset or traverse loads without rupture occurring .

Toughness : This is the ability of a material to withstand shatter. A material which easily shatters is brittle. Toughness indicates the ability of a material to absorb energy

Elasticity : This is the ability of a material to deform under load and return to its original size and shape when the load is removed. The property is required for springs.

Plasticity : This is the property of a material to deform permanently under the application of a load. Plastacine is plastic. This is the exact opposite to elasticity.

Ductility : This is ability of a material to stretch under the application of tensile load and retain the deformed shape on the removal of the load. A ductile material combines the properties of plasticiy and tensile strength. All materials which are formed by drawing are required to be ductile

Malleability : This is the property of a material to deform permanently under the application of a compressive load. A material which is forged to its final shape is required to be malleable

Fatigue Strength : This is the property of a material to withstand continuously varying and alternating loads.

Hardness : This is the property of a material to withstand indentation and surface abrasion by another hard object. It is an indication of the wear resistance of a material.e.g Diamonds are very hard.