Mechanical properties of solids

Mechanical properties of solids refer to the response of materials to external forces or loads. Some of the important mechanical properties of solids include:

1. Elasticity: It is the ability of a material to deform when subjected to an external force and then return to its original shape and size when the force is removed. The measure of elasticity is called Young’s modulus or elastic modulus.
2. Plasticity: It is the ability of a material to deform permanently without breaking or cracking when subjected to an external force beyond its elastic limit.
3. Hardness: It is the resistance of a material to indentation or scratching. It is measured using various techniques such as the Vickers hardness test, the Rockwell hardness test, and the Brinell hardness test.
4. Toughness: It is the ability of a material to absorb energy without fracturing. It is measured by the amount of energy absorbed per unit volume of the material.
5. Ductility: It is the ability of a material to deform under tensile stress and sustain plastic deformation without breaking. It is measured by the percentage of elongation or reduction in the cross-sectional area of the material.
6. Brittleness: It is the tendency of a material to break or fracture when subjected to stress. Brittle materials exhibit little or no plastic deformation before fracture.