Which one is more elastic: steel or rubber. and why?

[mohsin.ali]

Hi,

I want to know that which one is more elastic:
steel or rubber.
and why?

 

[CFDFEAGURU]

You are comparing apples to oranges. Steel obeys Hooke's Law (in the elastic region) and rubber is non-Hookean material. What are your thoughts?

Thanks
Matt

 

[oswaler]

The answer to this question depends on how we define "elasticity." If we are talking about the ability of a material to return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed, then rubber is generally considered to be more elastic than steel.

Rubber is a polymer, meaning it is made up of long chains of molecules that can stretch and bend easily. When a force is applied to rubber, these molecules can stretch and slide past each other, allowing the rubber to deform. When the force is released, the molecules return to their original positions, causing the rubber to return to its original shape. This ability to deform and return to its original shape is what makes rubber a very elastic material.

On the other hand, steel is a metal and has a crystalline structure. When a force is applied to steel, the atoms in the crystal lattice are forced to move, causing the material to deform. However, unlike rubber, the atoms in steel are tightly bound together, making it more difficult for them to return to their original positions once the force is released. This results in steel being less elastic than rubber.

In addition, rubber has a higher elasticity coefficient, which is a measure of how much a material can be stretched before it breaks. Rubber can be stretched to about 700% of its original length before breaking, while steel can only be stretched to about 8% of its original length before breaking. This further demonstrates the higher elasticity of rubber compared to steel.

In conclusion, due to its molecular structure and higher elasticity coefficient, rubber is generally considered to be more elastic than steel. However, it is important to note that both materials have their own unique properties and are used for different purposes based on their specific characteristics.