Evaluation of Mechanical Properties and Mechanisms of Deformation and Fracture

Determination of mechanical properties, together with metallographic examination of microstructures, is the basis for evaluating the quality of metallic materials
and their suitability for application, particularly for engineering purposes. To the engineer, mechanical prop-erties are important for selection of materials and for the design of components and structures made from them. Mechanical properties determine the "range" of useful-
ness of a material, and establish the "service" that can be expected from it.