Stiffness: Resistance to reversible deformation Tensile and compressive stiffness: Youngs modulus Torsional (twisting): shear modulus Flexural

stiffness: flexural modulus Ceramics-oxide glasses-metals-plastics ; elasticity refers to inverse of stiffness Elasticity Is the ability of an object or material to resume its normal shape after being stretched or compressed Ductility refers to the total amount of deformation that can take place in an object before it is permanently deformed . [ thermoplastics] Malleability or workability, a similar property, is a material's ability to deform under compressive stress; this is often characterized by the material's ability to form a thin sheet by hammering or rolling. Strength measures the resistance to deformation /fracture of an object in terms of its internal stresses. Yield strength refers to resistance to permanent deformation under a constant load Ultimate strength refers to resistance to non uniform deformation under a constant load Fracture strength refers to resistance to fracture under a constant load Fatigue refers to resistance to failure under a cyclic load Endurance limit refers to resistance to failure under infinite repetitions of cyclic load

 Toughness refers to resistance to deformation of an object in terms of the energy per unit volume needed to deform it to fracture. [ Area of stress/strain curve] Hardness refers to resistance to deformation due to a stress localized in a very small region of an objects surface. Brittlness is the inverse of toughness i.e., toughness increases with higher strength / ductility where in brittleness increases with the inverse ratio. When stress is applied quickly, the property measured is called shock resistance or impact toughness. When an elastomer is reversibly stretched or compressed, it absorbs some of the energy imparted to it before it comes to its original state. The energy that is absorbed is dissipated as heat and the phenomenon is called mechanical hysteresis. Creep (sometimes called cold flow) is the tendency of a solid material to move slowly or deform permanently under the influence of mechanical stresses. It can occur as a result of long-term exposure to high levels of stress that are still below the yield strength of the material. Freedom from creep is called dimensional stability. When two materials are moved in contact with each other, a tangential force acts against the motion and its magnitude depends up on contact pressure and coefficient of friction. Friction is used in anti skid applications. Reduction of friction is desirable. Machinability refers how fast the material can be cut in order to obtain a acceptable surface finish with within level of tool wear. [machinability of steel can be improved by alloys & plastics are easy to machine because of their softness]