Toughness is one of the mechanical properties of materials. In this discussion, you will learn more about this important property and understand its importance.
Before you begin, be sure to review the following resources:
In your original post, answer the following:
What are the definition and units used to describe Toughness?
List at least two tests used to determine the toughness of a material?
Pick one of these tests and explain how it is performed.
Compare the toughness of two materials.
Full Answer Section
The toughness of a material is an important property for many applications. For example, a material that is used to make a car bumper needs to be tough so that it can absorb the energy of a collision without breaking.
Here are some other examples of applications where toughness is an important property:
- The blades of a saw need to be tough so that they can withstand the stress of cutting through wood.
- The hull of a ship needs to be tough so that it can withstand the forces of the ocean.
- The bones in our bodies need to be tough so that they can withstand the stresses of everyday life.
The toughness of a material can be improved by a number of factors, including:
- The addition of alloying elements: Alloying elements can improve the strength and ductility of a material, which can lead to an improvement in toughness.
- The heat treatment: Heat treatment can improve the toughness of a material by changing the microstructure of the material.
- The cold working: Cold working can improve the toughness of a material by increasing the density of dislocations in the material.
The toughness of a material is an important property that is used to evaluate the suitability of a material for a particular application. By understanding the factors that affect toughness, we can improve the toughness of materials and make them more suitable for demanding applications.
Sample Answer
What are the definition and units used to describe Toughness?
Toughness is the ability of a material to absorb energy and deform plastically before fracturing. It is a measure of the material's resistance to fracture. The units of toughness are Joules per cubic meter (J/m³) or megajoules per cubic meter (MJ/m³).
List at least two tests used to determine the toughness of a material?
There are many tests used to determine the toughness of a material. Two of the most common tests are:
- The Charpy impact test: This test measures the amount of energy absorbed by a material when it is broken by a sudden impact.