Mechanical Characteristics of Steel

Mechanical characteristics of steel such as tensile strength are determined by a tension test where a specimen is pulled in a gripping device.

The tension test readings are used to plot a stress-strain curve representing the specimen's salient features like the proportional limit, yield point, ultimate strength, and rupture.

The torsion test applies external torque to a cylindrical specimen to uniformly twist it and measure the shear modulus.

The Charpy V-notch impact test is commonly conducted to measure steel toughness using a notched specimen struck by a swinging arm. The energy absorbed in fracturing is calculated from the height difference before and after impact.

A bending test is performed to find the ability of steel to resist bending. It involves bending a steel sample to a certain angle and around a predetermined radius.

The presence and extent of cracking on the tensioned side of the bend determine its failure due to bending.

The hardness of steel is commonly determined by the Rockwell hardness test, which measures how much a diamond cone or steel ball penetrates the specimen under specific conditions.