Material Properties

Question 1

Definition of “Mechanical Properties”

Answer 1

How a material reacts to an external force

Question 2

Definition of “Physical Properties”

Answer 2

The make-up or structure of the material

Question 3

Compressive Strength - Mechanical Property

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Tensile Strength - Mechanical Property

Answer 4

The ability to resist stretching or pulling forces.

Question 5

Bending Strength - Mechanical Property

Answer 5

The ability to resist forces that may bend the material.

Question 6

Shear Strength - Mechanical Property

Answer 6

The ability to resist sliding forces on a parallel plane.

Question 7

Torsional Strength - Mechanical Property

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Hardness - Mechanical Property

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Toughness - Mechanical Property

Answer 9

The ability to absorb impact force without fracture.

Question 10

Plasticity - Mechanical Property

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Ductility - Mechanical Property

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Malleability - Mechanical Property

Answer 12

The ability to withstand deformation by compression without cracking. Malleability increases with a rise in temperature.

Question 13

Elasticity - Mechanical Property

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Electrical Conductor - Physical Property

Answer 14

Allows the flow of electrical current through the material. A good conductor gives very little resistance to the flow of charge.

Question 15

Electrical Insulator - Physical Property

Answer 15

Does not allow the flow of electricity through the material.

Question 16

Thermal Conductor - Physical Property

Answer 16

Allows the transfer of heat energy through the material. A material with high thermal conductivity allows the transfer of heat to occur quickly across the material.

Question 17

Thermal Insulator - Physical Property

Answer 17

Prevents the transfer of heat through the material.

Question 18

Thermal Expansion - Physical Property

Answer 18

The increase in material volume in response to a heat input.

Question 19

Opaque - Physical Property

Answer 19

Prevents light from travelling through.

Question 20

Translucent - Physical Property

Answer 20

Allows light through but diffuses the light so that objects appear blurred. Frosted glass is an example of a translucent material.

Question 21

Transparent - Physical Property

Answer 21

Allows light to pass through easily which means you can see clearly through the material.

Question 22

Density - Physical Property

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Fusibility - Physical Property

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Magnetism - Physical Property

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Corrosion / Degration Resistance - Physical Property

Answer 25

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