You should now be familiar with the tensile test and the stress-strain graphs produced from the data it provides, as well as the various terms used to describe the mechanical behaviour of materials. You have also seen how similar materials can have very different properties dependent on the microstructure.

Pure aluminium is very soft and rarely used, its most common use being aluminium foil. The addition of just a small percentage of foreign atoms, such as copper as demonstrated in this package, can have a profound effect on the mechanical properties, and aluminium alloys are very common. The range of alloys is large, with various elements that can be added to alter its properties.

The effect that work hardening and heat treatments have on the properties of copper can also be profound effect on the yield stress, without the composition being altered. Pure copper is also seldom used, except as an electrical conductor, and is much more commonly used as an alloy.

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