2.1 TERMINOLOGY

---

A basic list of terms commonly used are,

Brittleness - the tendency of a material to break before it undergoes plastic deformation

Ductility - the ability of certain materials to be plastically deformed without fracture (pulling).

Elasticity - The ability to deform and return to the undeformed shape. This follows Hooke's law.

Hardness - the resistance to deformation and forced penetration

Malleability - the ability of a material to take a new shape when hammered or rolled.

Tensile Strength - the maximum tensile load that can be applied before a material fractures

Toughness - The ability to withstand cracking, as opposed to brittleness

Yield Strength - The load at which the material stops elastically deforming, and starts permanently deforming.