Because of their very large molecular weight (~ 10 6) polymers behave differently from the low molecular weight metals during plastic deformation leading to a ductile fracture. The top diagram shows a ...

Watch MSE Solder Creep Wire Drop video The load applied to the wire (4.8 kg) is only about one tenth of the load required to get immediate plastic deformation. The experiment shows, however, that ...

Elastic deformation continues until the yield stress of the material if it is ductile, after which the material plastically deforms. A brittle material fractures before any plastic deformation occurs ...

Furthermore, the plastic deformation is not permanent. The material shows a gradual self-recovery over time (>18 h) at room temperature and a much faster, more complete recovery at higher ...