MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

STRESSES AND STRAINS

DEFORMATION of MATERIALS Think of stretching and releasing a spring When the shape of a material is changed, it is described as deformation. When a material is stretched (a spring is stretched), it is described as tensile deformation. When a material is compressed (the spring is compressed), it is described compressive deformation as

HOOKES LAW

 Initially the extension of the spring is proportional to the force applied. F = -k x x = the extension of the spring, F = force exerted by the spring in reaction to the applied force k = spring constant

k is the gradient of the graph and the constant of proportionality k = SPRING CONSTANT. The unit of k = N.m-1 .

If the spring is stretched so far that the proportionality relationship breaks down, the length at which this occurs is called the PROPORTIONALITY LIMIT. If a spring is stretched a little beyond the proportionality limit, it still returns to its original shape. Beyond a point, called the ELASTICITY LIMIT, it no longer returns to its original shape and is permanently deformed and thus damaged.

APPLYING HOOKES LAW TO MATERIALS AND THEIR USE TENSILE STRESS a stretching force will have different effects, dependent on the thickness of the material. Tensile force is expressed as: Tensile stress = tensile force area of cross section Unit = N.m-2

TENSILE STRENGTH of material is the tensile stress at which the material breaks. TENSILE STRAIN: the extension of a material will depend on its length the longer the piece of material, the more it will stretch. Tensile strain = extension original length This is a ratio of 2 lengths and has no unit.

The relationship between the stress and strain in a material.

The gradient of this graph is YOUNGS MODULUS, E. This is a property of the material.

Youngs Modulus E = tensile stress tensile strain Unit = N.m-2 or Pa.

NB this is also the unit for pressure, but E is NOT a measure of pressure.

YOUNGS MODULUS: is a measure of the forces between the particles of the material. These forces resist a tensile force. is a measure of the stiffness of the material. allows engineers to select materials for a specific purpose.

Plastic and elastic deformation: when a material is stretched and it obeys Hookes Law, the deformation is described as ELASTIC DEFORMATION. when a material is stretched beyond its elastic limit, PLASTIC DEFORMATION occurs. The material is unable to return to its original form, once the stress is removed. if the stress is increased in plastic deformation, necking occurs. Materials that undergo necking are referred to as ductile.

necking

During necking a sample of the material begins to narrow at one point. Stress is larger at this point (stress 1/area) and so the sample will begin to fail at this point.

The graph says it all -

stress

strain

Comparing different materials: The graphs on the following pages show the stress-strain relationships for: duralumin alloy ceramic copper rubber Tensile strength is given as well as the strain at breaking point.

DURALUMIN ALLOY

This is an aluminium alloy that can withstand large stress, does not stretch or bend easily and shows plastic deformation before breaking.

CERAMIC

Ceramics show elastic deformation at all applied stress up to the breaking point. They show little strain

COPPER

The graph shows a large section where plastic deformation occurs. Copper is ductile and can be drawn into thin wires.

RUBBER

Rubber is initially difficult to stretch and then easier to stretch.