1. Mechanical property of materials 1.1.

Introduction Engineers must know how solid materials respond to external forces, such as tension, compression, torsion, bending, and shear. Solid materials respond to these forces by elastic deformation, permanent deformation, or fracture. Elastic deformation is property of a material when it returns to its original size and form when external force is applied on it. Permanent deformation is also property of a material change its shape and form permanently when force is applied on a solid material whereas fracture of the material will be occurred if a force is applied continuously. There are different mechanical properties of a material that affect whether a material has elastic or permanent deformation. Some of the mechanical properties of materials are Hardness, ductility, elasticity, plasticity, toughness and strength 1.1.2. Hardness: - The resistance of a material to plastic deformation or ability of a solid substance to resist surface deformation or abrasion. It also defined as resistance of material to penetration. Hardness is related to the strength, durability, and toughness of solid substances, and in common usage the term is often extended to include those properties. 1.1.3. Ductility: - It is property of a metal, an alloy, or any other material that allows forced deformation of the material to occur without breaking or splintering. It is also defined as the ability of a material to withstand elongation and bending. The more ductile the materials, the finer the wire that may be drawn through a metal die without breaking. 1.1.4. Elasticity: - It is the ability of a material to return quickly to its original shape and size after being bent, stretched, compressed or sheared due to the applied load on it at the removal of the applied load. A material is said to be perfectly elastic if the stress produced by the applied load disappears completely on the removal of the applied load. 1.1.5. Plasticity: - It is the ability of a material to keep shape after change or ability of a material to retain its change in shape after being bent, stretched, compressed or sheared by the applied load on it. It is also defined as the property of a material that enables the formation of permanent deformation when external load is applied on it. 1.1.6. Toughness: - It is the ability of a material to resist stress or resistance of material to breaking under repeated twisting and bending forces. It is also defined as the strength

with which the material opposes rupture. This is because the attraction forces between the molecules for each other; giving them power to resist tearing apart. 1.1.7. Strength: - It is the ability of a material to withstand various forces to which it is subjected. It is usually defined as tensile, compressive or shear strength. Strength of a material is in general expresses the measure of capacity of resistance possessed by solid masses of various kinds to any cause tending to produce in them a permanent and disabling change of form or positive fracture.