Ultimate strength of materials - what is it?

The mechanical properties of a metal or alloy, such as hardness, ductility, resistance to deformation, tensile strength or wear resistance, are the main criteria for selecting a material.

Any metal (as well as wood or plastic), which is under the influence of any loads, is not able to endlessly test them. Deformations and fractures occurring under the influence of all kinds of unfavorable environments and various operating conditions should be taken into account in each case individually. For example, adding an element to the chemical composition of an alloy, a metal processing method, the presence or absence of a hard chrome plated coating will allow one to show differently to the same material in different operating modes.

The strength limit for each material is determined both empirically and with the help of complex mathematical analysis and tests in laboratory conditions. Using various methods allows you to achieve the most accurate results of research.

The received data are reduced in uniform standard documents - GOSTs, OST and directories which use at calculation and a choice of a necessary material. The resistance of metals and alloys to all possible deformations and fractures, determined by such a mechanical characteristic as the ultimate strength of steel or cast iron, composite, wood or plastic, affects the reliability and service life of the product.

The correct choice of the material and its rational application are inherently an economically justified guarantee of the safety and durability of the structure. In the modern industry, any materials should be characterized by optimal characteristics. Strength, fatigue or yield strength, temporary resistance to bending or compression, twisting or stretching should not exceed permissible requirements and norms. Only slight deformation is allowed in the calculations.

If the impact load exceeds the permissible ultimate strength, the moment of destruction of the part, machine or structure occurs. Thus, the wrong choice of material contributes not only to the additional costs of repair or replacement of machinery or parts, but also to the complete destruction of the entire structure.

From the indicators of temporary mechanical resistance depends reliability of the design in general, the duration of operation of parts, machines and equipment. For example, the tensile strength of 45 grade steel under tension or compression, torsion or bending has optimal parameters. It is this brand that has become the most commonly used for the production of parts and mechanisms that require increased strength characteristics.

Steel and cast iron, used in construction, have not yet found a worthy replacement. Thanks to new methods of obtaining these metals and their modern processing, the use of these materials is becoming ever wider with each passing year. Reliability, durability and optimum tensile strength are excellent performance indicators.