Sample interview questions: How do you assess the mechanical properties and fracture toughness of materials in your research?
Sample answer:
Assessing the mechanical properties and fracture toughness of materials is crucial in materials science research, as it provides vital information about their performance and durability. Several techniques and methodologies are employed to accurately evaluate these properties.
One common approach to assess mechanical properties is through the use of mechanical testing methods. Tensile testing is widely employed to determine the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation at fracture of a material. By subjecting a test specimen to an axial load until failure, we can measure the stress-strain relationship and obtain valuable mechanical properties.
Similarly, compressive testing is employed to evaluate a material’s ability to withstand compressive forces. By applying a load perpendicular to the specimen’s surface, we can determine parameters such as compressive strength and modulus of elasticity.
To evaluate the hardness of a material, indentation tests like the Vickers or Rockwell hardness tests are commonly used. These tests involve applying a known load to the material’s surface and measuring the resulting indentation size or depth. Hardness values provide insights into a material’s resistance to deformation and wear.
Fracture toughness, on the other hand, is a measure of a material’s ability to resist crack propagation. It is crucial in assessing a material’s resistance to britt… Read full answer
Source: https://hireabo.com/job/5_0_15/Materials%20Scientist