Micro-structure and Mechanical Properties Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Micro-structure and Mechanical Properties - Essay Example The metallic bonds ensure enhances the strength of the metals. Metals exhibit different levels of strength especially when they are subjected to heat. Mechanical properties of ceramics. The thermal properties of ceramics, on the other hand, are normally determined by the type of bonding present and the number of existing bonds in the ceramic material. The bonds found in ceramic materials are covalent bonds. The toughness of ceramics decreases with increase in temperature as the bonds become weaker. This is because the bond is weakened by the vibrating atoms due to heat and vice versa. Ceramics show a number of optical characteristics such as transparency, translucency, and color which are dependent on the visible light interaction with pigments. The presence of light increases its brittleness significantly. Mechanical properties of polymers. Polymers show different levels of strength particularly tensile strength and flexural strength. Unreinforced polymers normally have a tensile st rength of 10-100Mpa. Polymers also have different levels of elongation which is the change that occurs on the shape of the polymer as a result of stretching due to change in temperature.The change in microstructure makes Polymers have different values of the modulus. Polymers lose their toughness when subjected to high temperatures and become brittle when subjected to sub zero temperatures. This is as a result of the strengthening of the covalent bonds between molecules. To enhance strength polymers should be subjected to low temperatures.