TABLE OF CONTENTS This is the ability of a material to withstand tensile (stretching) loads without rupture occurring. The material is in tension.
This is the ability of a material to withstand compressive (squeezing) loads without being crushed or broken. The material is in compression.
This is the ability of a material to withstand offset or transverse loads without rupture occurring. The rivet connecting the two bars shown is in shear whilst the bars themselves are in tension. Note that the rivet would still be in shear if the bars were in compression.
This is the ability of a material to resist shatter. If a material shatters it is brittle (e.g. glass). If it fails to shatter when subjected to an impact load it is tough (e.g. rubber). Toughness should not be confused with strength. Any material in which the spread of surface cracks does not occur or only occurs to a limited extent is said to be tough.
This is the ability of a material to deform under load and return to its original size and shape when the load is removed. Such a material would be required to make the spring as shown.
This property is the exact opposite of elasticity. It is the state of a material which has been loaded beyond its elastic state. Under a load beyond that required to cause elastic deformation (the...
