ACTIVITY IN PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

By now you should have an understanding of the properties of a variety of materials. Answer the
questions below by describing the material property and naming a product that needs a material
with this property. Question 1 is already answered.

1. STRENGTH
DESCRIPTION:
The ability of a material to stand up to forces being applied without it bending, breaking,
shattering or deforming in any way.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Steel is used as the main material in the construction of a bridge. This is because it is
extremely strong and can withstand heavy weights.

2. ELASTICITY
DESCRIPTION:
The material's ability to deform in a non-permanent way, meaning that when the stress
load is removed from the material it will recover its original form.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Metals tend to possess a high degree of ductility, or the ability to be deformed beyond
their elastic limits without experiencing rupture.

3. PLASTICITY
DESCRIPTION:
The ability of certain solids to flow or to change shape permanently when subjected to
stresses of intermediate magnitude between those producing temporary deformation, or
elastic behavior, and those causing failure of the material, or rupture.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Asphalt has great plasticity; the plasticity of asphalt increases with the temperature, the
thickness of asphalt and the drawing speed.
4. DUCTILIITY
DESCRIPTION:
The ability of a structure to deform plastically under load without fracture yet still fulfil a
load carrying function.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Steel is a ductile material. This important property of ductility enables steel bars to
undergo large elongation before breaking.

5. TENSILE STRENGTH
DESCRIPTION:
The ability of a material to resist a force that tends to pull it apart.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Concrete is often pulled in different directions. Tensile strength is a paramount property
of concrete.