What is an Elastic Limit in Welding?

Elastic limit is the maximum stress to which a material can be subjected without permanent deformation or failure by breaking. The elastic limit of a material is dependent on:

  • its composition,
  • structure,
  • and manufacturing processes.

For metals, the elastic limit is generally determined by the point at which the metal begins to plastic flow.

In welding, the term “elastic limit” is often used interchangeably with “yield strength.”

  • The yield strength of a material is the stress at which a material begins to deform plastically.
  • The yield strength of most metals is about 0.2% of the metal’s original dimensions.
  • For example, if a steel bar has a cross-sectional area of 1 square inch and it experiences a yield strength of 30,000 pounds per square inch, then the bar will experience a permanent deformation of 0.2% — or 0.004 inches.

Elastic limit is an important consideration in welding because it determines how much stress a welded joint can withstand before it yields or breaks. When designing a welded joint, engineers must take into account the fact that the weld itself will add stress to the joint that must be accounted for. In some cases, the additional stresses from the weld can cause the joint to fail even if the materials being joined have a high yield strength.

What is the elastic limit of steel?

The answer is not simple because there are many different types of steel with a wide range of properties. In general, the higher the carbon content of steel, the lower its elastic limit will be.

What is an example of an elastic limit?

For example, cast iron has a very low elastic limit, while mild steel generally has an elastic limit between 40,000 and 60,000 pounds per square inch.

What is elastic limit and plasticity?

Plasticity is the ability of a material to undergo deformation without breaking. The elastic limit is the point at which a material begins to deform plastically.

How do you calculate the elastic limit? Elastic limit formula

The elastic limit can be calculated by dividing Young’s modulus by Poisson’s ratio. However, this calculation only applies to perfectly elastic materials. In reality, all materials will have some degree of plasticity, so the elastic limit is best determined experimentally.

Good to know:

1) Elastic strain limit

It is the point beyond which a material experiences plastic deformation and can no longer return to its original shape.

2) Proportional limit

It is the maximum stress a material can undergo while still maintaining a linear relationship between stress and strain.

Related Links

Elastic limit | mechanics
Yield (engineering)
Yield Point vs Elastic Limit | Physics Forums
What is The Elastic Limit or Stretch Limit of a Spring – SMSC
elasticity – How do you identify the elastic limit and yield point on a stress/strain graph? – Physics Stack Exchange

Related Videos