What's the difference between toughness and strength?

In summary, the conversation discusses the definitions of toughness and strength as materials engineering terms. Toughness refers to the energy absorbed until failure, while strength can refer to yield strength, breaking strength, or ultimate tensile strength. The conversation also touches on the assumptions made about these terms and their corresponding equations.
  • #1
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Who can give a detailed explanation? :cry:
 
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  • #2
I certainly can't! Are you sure those are standard physics terms?
 
  • #3
what exactly do you mean with "toughness" and "strength"?

assuming strength implies power, and toughness implies force: they mean [tex]\frac{dE}{dt}[/tex]and [tex]\frac{dp}{dt}[/tex] respectively. I'm not sure about these assumptions, though.
 
  • #4
Toughness and strength are materials engineering terms.

Toughness is the area under the stress-strain curve, and is a measure of the total energy absorbed until failure.

Strength is the usually a specific value of the applied stress. Strength can refer to either the Yield Strength or the Breaking Strength. The Yield Strength or Yield Point is the stress beyond which plastic flow begins, and is very close to the elastic limit of the material. The Breaking Strength is the stress at failure. Another term often referred to is the Ultimate Tensile Strength or Maximum Stress, which is the stress at the highest point on a true stress-strain curve.
 
  • #5
thanx for your reply, Gokul. that's very helpful!
 

What is the difference between toughness and strength?

Toughness and strength are two properties that are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different characteristics of a material. Toughness is a measure of a material's ability to resist fracture, while strength is a measure of a material's ability to withstand stress without breaking.

How are toughness and strength related?

Toughness and strength are related in that a material with high strength will generally also have high toughness. This is because a material with high strength is better able to withstand stress, making it less likely to fracture and thus increasing its toughness.

Which is more important, toughness or strength?

The importance of toughness and strength depends on the specific application. For materials that are expected to undergo a lot of stress, such as in engineering or construction, strength may be more important. However, for materials that need to withstand impacts or sudden changes in temperature, toughness may be more crucial.

How are toughness and strength measured?

Toughness is typically measured using a test called the Charpy impact test, which measures the energy absorbed by a material when it is struck by a pendulum. Strength, on the other hand, can be measured using a variety of tests, such as tension, compression, or shear tests.

Can a material be both tough and strong?

Yes, a material can possess both toughness and strength. In fact, many materials have a combination of both properties, with some being stronger but less tough, and others being tougher but less strong. It is important to consider both qualities when selecting a material for a specific application.

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