Elastic and Plastic Behaviour
Section: Deformation of Solids | Syllabus: Cambridge AS Level Physics (9702)
6.4 Elastic and Plastic Behaviour
Materials behave differently under stress.
Figure 6.13: Stress-Strain Graph for Metal
(Graph showing linear region (Hooke's law), Limit of Proportionality, Elastic Limit, Plastic Deformation region, and Breaking Point.)
- Elastic Deformation: Material returns to original length when load is removed. Occurs up to the elastic limit.
- Plastic Deformation: Material is permanently deformed. Layers of atoms slide over each other.
Interpreting Graphs
Figures 6.14 & 6.15: Material Comparisons
(Graphs for: (a) Steel - Stiff, strong, little plastic. (b) Copper - Ductile, large plastic region. (c) Glass - Brittle, no plastic region. (d) Polyethene - Large plastic deformation (stretches a lot).)
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