Toughness of Materials

This lecture introduces the concept of toughness of materials, focusing on the sensitivity to cracks and the resistance to plastic deformation. It covers topics such as the stress profile in front of a crack, the energy needed for crack propagation, and the difference between ductile and brittle materials. The instructor explains how the toughness of a material is related to its ability to resist crack propagation and catastrophic failure, emphasizing the importance of plastic deformation energy. Various materials like metals, ceramics, and polymers are discussed in terms of their toughness and fracture properties.