Metals - EduqasReinforcing and stiffening

Forces act on materials all the time - even if a material appears stationary it still has a force acting on it. There are five terms used to describe what type of force can act on a material:

• tension - a pulling force
• compression - a pushing force
• bending - forces at an angle to the material
• torsion - a twisting force
• shear - forces acting across the material

Each metal type has different properties in relation to the way they react to each of the five forces. It is therefore important to know how to test a metal so the correct one can be chosen for the specific task.

Tension can be tested by pulling opposite ends of the metal. The tensile strength can be tested to see if the chosen metal will be fit for purpose by fixing a piece of metal to a point and then loading it with a pulling force.

Compression can be tested by applying a force on top of the piece of metal. If the metal compresses, then reinforcing the metal could be an option.

Often the shape of the metal plays a big part in how it will react to a force. A ‘rolled steel joist’ (RSJ) is used in construction work as the shape withstands bending and compression.

Torsion can be tested by securing the end of the metal in a vice. The other end can then be twisted to see if the metal can withstand the force. If there is a twist, bracing one piece of metal to another can prevent deformation due to both torsion and shear forces.

Shear forces act in different directions and cut across a material, but a huge amount of force is needed to shear through a piece of metal. If a piece of metal is cut using tin snips, the cut will have been made by a shear force.