By
J. W. Martin, Emeritus Reader in Physical Metallurgy, University of Oxford, UK
Description
This Concise Encyclopedia draws its material from the award-winning Encyclopedia of Materials: Science and Technology, and includes updates
and revisions not available in the original set.
Mechanical properties describe the response of a material to an applied strain. Elastic
behaviour is encountered at small strains, followed by plastic strain which is usually followed by fracture. If the magnitude of the
applied strain fluctuates with time, fatigue failure may take place. Again, at relatively high temperatures (with respect to their melting
point) materials subjected to a constant stress may exhibit progressive creep deformation over a period of time which may lead to ultimate
failure.
Articles have been selected which discuss this wide range of properties, both generally and also specifically with reference
to metals and alloys, polymeric materials, ceramics and glasses, composite materials, as well as some miscellaneous materials such as
wood, paper and textiles. The majority of contributions contain quantitative data, the others are predominantly descriptive in nature
where it is more appropriate for the type of material in question. The compilation provides the reader with an up-to-date understanding
of the mechanical properties of a wide range of materials.
Audience:
Faculty and postgraduate research students in materials science and technology and related disciplines, especially physics, chemistry,
engineering and biomedical science; also researchers and staff in government and industry.
