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Define strength and ductility

Short answer

Strength is the ability to resist applied load without failure, measured as stress (e.g., steel has high tensile strength). Ductility is the capacity for large plastic deformation under tension, measured by elongation and reduction in area, providing warning before failure.

Explain briefly the properties: Strength and Ductility.

Strength

Strength is the ability of a material to resist the applied load without failure or excessive deformation. It is expressed as stress (force per unit area) and may be compressive, tensile, shear or flexural strength. Steel has high tensile strength, while concrete and stone have high compressive strength.

Ductility

Ductility is the ability of a material to undergo large plastic deformation under tension, so that it can be drawn into wires before fracture. It is measured by percentage elongation and percentage reduction in area.

Elongation %=Lf−L0L0×100\text{Elongation \%} = \frac{L_f - L_0}{L_0}\times 100

Mild steel, copper and aluminium are ductile. Ductility gives warning before failure and is very important for earthquake-resistant structures.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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