What Is Youngs Modulus Definition and Equation

Youngs modulus  (E or Y) is a measure of a solids stiffness or resistance to elastic deformation under load. It relates stress (force per unit area) to strain (proportional deformation) along an axis or line. The basic principle is that a material undergoes elastic deformation when it is compressed or extended, returning to its original shape when the load is removed. More deformation occurs in a flexible material compared to that of a stiff material. In other words: A low Youngs modulus value means a solid is elastic.A high Youngs modulus value means a solid is inelastic or stiff. Equation and Units The equation for Youngs modulus is: E ÏÆ' / ÃŽ µ (F/A) / (ΔL/L0) FL0 / AΔL Where: E is Youngs modulus, usually expressed in Pascal (Pa)ÏÆ' is the uniaxial stressÃŽ µ is the strainF is the force of compression or extensionA is the cross-sectional surface area or the cross-section perpendicular to the applied forceΔ L is the change in length (negative under compression; positive when stretched)L0 is the original length While the SI unit for Youngs modulus is Pa, values are most often expressed in terms of megapascal (MPa), Newtons per square millimeter (N/mm2), gigapascals (GPa), or kilonewtons per square millimeter (kN/mm2). The usual English unit is pounds per square inch (PSI) or mega PSI (Mpsi). History The basic concept behind Youngs modulus was described by Swiss scientist and engineer Leonhard Euler in 1727. In 1782, Italian scientist Giordano Riccati performed experiments leading to modern calculations of the modulus. Yet, the modulus takes its name from British scientist Thomas Young, who described its calculation in his  Course of Lectures on Natural Philosophy and the Mechanical Arts  in 1807. It should probably be called Riccatis modulus, in light of the modern understanding of its history, but that would lead to confusion. Isotropic and Anisotropic Materials The Youngs modulus often depends on the orientation of a material. Isotropic materials display mechanical properties that are the same in all directions. Examples include pure metals and ceramics. Working a material or adding impurities to it can produce grain structures that make mechanical properties directional. These anisotropic materials may have very different Youngs modulus values, depending on whether force is loaded along the grain or perpendicular to it. Good examples of anisotropic materials include wood, reinforced concrete, and carbon fiber. Table of Youngs Modulus Values This table contains representative values for samples of various materials. Keep in mind, the precise value for a sample may be somewhat different since the test method and sample composition affect the data. In general, most synthetic fibers have low Youngs modulus values. Natural fibers are stiffer. Metals and alloys tend to exhibit high values. The highest Youngs modulus of all is for carbyne, an allotrope of carbon. Material GPa Mpsi Rubber (small strain) 0.01–0.1 1.45–14.5Ãâ€"10−3 Low-density polyethylene 0.11–0.86 1.6–6.5Ãâ€"10−2 Diatom frustules (silicic acid) 0.35–2.77 0.05–0.4 PTFE (Teflon) 0.5 0.075 HDPE 0.8 0.116 Bacteriophage capsids 1–3 0.15–0.435 Polypropylene 1.5–2 0.22–0.29 Polycarbonate 2–2.4 0.29-0.36 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) 2–2.7 0.29–0.39 Nylon 2–4 0.29–0.58 Polystyrene, solid 3–3.5 0.44–0.51 Polystyrene, foam 2.5–7x10-3 3.6–10.2x10-4 Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) 4 0.58 Wood (along grain) 11 1.60 Human Cortical Bone 14 2.03 Glass-reinforced polyester matrix 17.2 2.49 Aromatic peptide nanotubes 19–27 2.76–3.92 High-strength concrete 30 4.35 Amino-acid molecular crystals 21–44 3.04–6.38 Carbon fiber reinforced plastic 30–50 4.35–7.25 Hemp fiber 35 5.08 Magnesium (Mg) 45 6.53 Glass 50–90 7.25–13.1 Flax fiber 58 8.41 Aluminum (Al) 69 10 Mother-of-pearl nacre (calcium carbonate) 70 10.2 Aramid 70.5–112.4 10.2–16.3 Tooth enamel (calcium phosphate) 83 12 Stinging nettle fiber 87 12.6 Bronze 96–120 13.9–17.4 Brass 100–125 14.5–18.1 Titanium (Ti) 110.3 16 Titanium alloys 105–120 15–17.5 Copper (Cu) 117 17 Carbon fiber reinforced plastic 181 26.3 Silicon crystal 130–185 18.9–26.8 Wrought iron 190–210 27.6–30.5 Steel (ASTM-A36) 200 29 Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) 193-200 28-29 Cobalt-chrome (CoCr) 220–258 29 Aromatic peptide nanospheres 230–275 33.4–40 Beryllium (Be) 287 41.6 Molybdenum (Mo) 329–330 47.7–47.9 Tungsten (W) 400–410 58–59 Silicon carbide (SiC) 450 65 Tungsten carbide (WC) 450–650 65–94 Osmium (Os) 525–562 76.1–81.5 Single-walled carbon nanotube 1,000+ 150+ Graphene (C) 1050 152 Diamond (C) 1050–1210 152–175 Carbyne (C) 32100 4660 Modulii of Elasticity A modulus is literally a measure. You may hear Youngs modulus referred to as the elastic modulus, but there are multiple expressions used to measure elasticity: Youngs modulus describes tensile elasticity along a line when opposing forces are applied. It is the ratio of tensile stress to tensile strain.The bulk modulus (K) is like Youngs modulus, except in three dimensions. It is a measure of volumetric elasticity, calculated as volumetric stress divided by volumetric strain.The shear or modulus of rigidity (G) describes shear when an object is acted upon by opposing forces. It is calculated as shear stress over shear strain. The axial modulus, P-wave modulus, and Lamà ©s first parameter are other modulii of elasticity. Poissons ratio may be used to compare the transverse contraction strain to the longitudinal extension strain. Together with Hookes law, these values  describe the elastic properties of a material. Sources ASTM E 111, Standard Test Method for Youngs Modulus, Tangent Modulus, and Chord Modulus. Book of Standards Volume: 03.01.G. Riccati, 1782,  Delle vibrazioni sonore dei cilindri, Mem. mat. fis. soc. Italiana, vol. 1, pp 444-525.Liu, Mingjie; Artyukhov, Vasilii I; Lee, Hoonkyung; Xu, Fangbo; Yakobson, Boris I (2013). Carbyne From First Principles: Chain of C Atoms, a Nanorod or a Nanorope?. ACS Nano. 7 (11): 10075–10082. doi:10.1021/nn404177rTruesdell, Clifford A. (1960).  The Rational Mechanics of Flexible or Elastic Bodies, 1638–1788: Introduction to Leonhardi Euleri Opera Omnia, vol. X and XI, Seriei Secundae. Orell Fussli.