Materials Performance: Strength

Comprehending Strength in Materials

The strength of a material refers to its ability to withstand an applied load without failure.
It indicates the amount of stress that a material can absorb before breaking or deforming.
Unlike hardness, which pertains solely to surface, the strength of a material has to do with the bulk.
Materials strength can be catagorized into tensile strength, compressive strength, shear strength and impact strength.

Stress is defined as the internal resistance or reaction of an object to the applied external forces. It is measured in Newtons per square metre (N/m²), also known as pascals (Pa).
Tensile strength is the maximum amount of tensile stress that a material can resist before breaking or permanently deforming.
Compressive strength indicates the capacity of a material or structure to withstand loads tending to reduce size.
Shear strength refers to the maximum shear load a body can withstand before failure occurs.
Impact strength is the capability of the material to withstand a suddenly applied load and is expressed in terms of energy.

Steel is a commonly used material, known for its high tensile and compressive strength.
Concrete is an excellent material in withstanding compressive strength but has poor tensile strength.
Kevlar is a material with high tensile strength and is often used in bullet-proof vests.
Glass has high compressive strength but low tensile strength.

Most materials lose strength as temperature increases and gain strength as temperature decreases.
Thermal fatigue refers to a type of failure that occurs in materials subject to fluctuations in temperature.

Material strength significantly influences the performance and longevity of a product or system.
Designers and engineers consider material strength in designing bridges, buildings, vehicles and other structures to ensure they can withstand intended loads.
It is also used in the selection of materials for aircraft, heavy machinery, safety equipment and many more.