1.1 Mechanical & Physical Properties of Materials

Question 1

Compressive Strength

Answer 1

The ability to withstand being crushed or shortened by using forces (compression).

Question 2

Tensile Strength

Answer 2

The ability to resist stretching or pulling forces (tension).

Question 3

Bending Strength

Answer 3

The ability to resist forces that may bend the material

Question 4

Shear Strength

Answer 4

The ability to resist sliding forces on a parallel plane.

Question 5

Torsional Strength

Answer 5

The ability to withstand twisting forces from applied torque or torsion.

Question 6

Hardness

Answer 6

The ability to resist abrasive wear such as scratching, surface indentation or torsion.

Question 7

Toughness

Answer 7

The ability to absorb impact force without fracture.

Question 8

Plasticity

Answer 8

The ability to be permanently deformed (shaped) and retain the deform shape.

Question 9

Ductility

Answer 9

The ability to be drawn out under tension, reducing the cross sectional area without cracking, for example stretching a material into a wire.

Question 10

Malleability

Answer 10

The ability to withstand deformation by compression without cracking; malleability increase with a rise in temperature.

Question 11

Elasticity

Answer 11

The ability to be deformed and then return to the original shape when the force is removed.

Question 12

Density

Answer 12

The mass of the material in a standard volume of space.

Question 13

Fusibility

Answer 13

The ability of the material to be fused or converted from a solid to a liquid or motion state, usually by heat. Good fusibility is an essential property for a metal being cast.

Question 14

Magnetism

Answer 14

The natural force between objects that causes the material to attract iron or steels.

Question 15

Corrosion/Degradation Resistance

Answer 15

The ability of the material to withstand environment attack and decay.