Mechanical Properties of Solids
Mechanical Properties of Solids
Mechanical Properties of Solids
A force which produces a change in configuration of the object on applying it, is called a
deforming force.
Elasticity
Elasticity is that property of the object by virtue of which it regain its original configuration
after the removal of the deforming force.
Elastic Limit
Elastic limit is the upper limit of deforming force upto which, if deforming force is removed,
the body regains its original form completely and beyond which if deforming force is increased
the body loses its property of elasticity and get permanently deformed.
Those bodies which regain its original configuration immediately and completely after the
removal of deforming force are called perfectly elastic bodies. e.g., quartz and phosphor bronze
etc.
Those bodies which does not regain its original configuration at all on the removal of
deforming force are called perfectly plastic bodies, e.g., putty, paraffin, wax etc.
Stress
The internal restoring force acting per unit area of a deformed body is called stress.
(i) Normal Stress If deforming force is applied normal to the area, then the stress is called
normal stress.
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(ii) Tangential Stress If deforming force is applied tangentially, then the stress is called
tangential stress.
Strain
(iii) Shearing strain = Angular displacement of the plane perpendicular to the fixed surface.
Hooke’s Law
or Stress = E * Strain
It is defined as the ratio of normal stress to the longitudinal strain Within the elastic limit.
y = FΔl / Al = Mg Δl / πr2l
It is defined as the ratio of normal stress to the volumetric strain within the elastic limit.
K = FV / A ΔV = &DElta;p V / Δ V
It is defined as the ratio of tangential stress to the shearing strain, within the elastic limit.
Compressibility
Compressibility (C) = 1 / k
Steel is more elastic than rubber. Solids are more elastic and gases are least elastic.
Limit of Elasticity
The maximum value of deforming force for which elasticity is present in the body is called its
limit of elasticity.
Breaking Stress
The minimum value of stress required to break a wire, is called breaking stress.
Breaking stress is fixed for a material but breaking force varies with area of cross-section of the
wire.
The time delay in restoring the original configuration after removal of deforming force is called
elastic relaxation time.
The temporary delay in regaining the original configuration by the elastic body after the
removal of deforming force, is called elastic after effect.
Elastic Fatigue
The property of an elastic body by virtue of which its behaviour becomes less elastic under the
action of repeated alternating deforming force is called elastic fatigue.
Ductile Materials
The materials which show large plastic range beyond elastic limit are called ductile materials,
e.g., copper, silver, iron, aluminum, etc.
Brittle Materials
The materials which show very small plastic range beyond elastic limit are called brittle
materials, e.g., glass, cast iron, etc.
Elastomers
The materials for which strain produced is much larger than the stress applied, with in the limit
of elasticity are called elastomers, e.g., rubber, the elastic tissue of aorta, the large vessel
carrying blood from heart. etc.
The work done in stretching a wire is stored in form of potential energy of the wire.
= 1 / 2 FΔl
U = 1 / 2 * Stress * Strain
Thermal Stress
When temperature of a rod fixed at its both ends is changed, then the produced stress is called
thermal stress.
When temperature of a gas enclosed in a vessel is changed, then the thermal stress produced is
equal to change in pressure (Δp)of the gas.
Thermal stress = Δ p = Ky Δ θ
K = Yro
Poisson’s Ratio
When a deforming force is applied at the free end of a suspended wire of length 1 and radius R,
then its length increases by dl but its radius decreases by dR. Now two types of strains are
produced by a single force.
The theoretical value of Poisson’s ratio lies between – 1 and 0.5. Its practical value lies
between 0 and 0.5.
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(i) Y = 3K (1 – 2σ)
(ii) Y = 2 η ( 1 + σ)
(iii) σ = 3K – 2η / 2η + 6K
(iv) 9 / Y = 1 / K + 3 / η or Y = 9K η / η + 3K
Important Points
Coefficient of elasticity depends upon the material, its temperature and purity but not on
stress or strain.
For the same material, the three coefficients of elasticity γ, η and K have different
magnitudes.
Isothermal elasticity of a gas ET = ρ where, ρ = pressure of the gas.
Adiabatic elasticity of a gas Es = γρ
Cantilever
A beam clamped at one end and loaded at free end is called a cantilever.
δ = wl3 / 3YIG
IG = bd3 / 12
I G = π r4 / 4
Torsion of a Cylinder
r = radius of cylinder,
W = 1 / 2 Cθ2
rθ = lφ or φ = r / l = θ