These Pages include various standards. To confirm the status of any standard, identify the replacement standard if it is obsolete and/or purchase the standard please use. BSI Shop It is also possible to become a BSI member and obtain copies of the Standards at much reduced prices.

Matter Index

Shear Stress vs Tensile Stress

Relationship between Shear stress and tensile Stress

Ultimate Tensile Strength = S_u, Ultimate Shear Strength = S_su, Tensile Yield Strength = S_yp, Shear yield point = S_syp
Note: The relationships below are very approximate for use only as an rule of thumb estimate if no other source of information is available...

Material	Tensile-Relation	Yield-Relation
Wrought Steel & alloy steel	Ssu = Approx 0,75 x Su	Ssyp = Approx 0,58 x Syp
Ductile Iron	Ssu = Approx 0,90 x Su	Ssyp = Approx 0,75 x Syp
Malleable iron -Pearlitic	Ssu = Approx 1,0 x Su	-
Wrought iron	Ssu = Approx 0,83 x Su	-
Cast Iron	Ssu = Approx 1,3 x Su	-
Copper/ & alloys (See Note below)	Ssu = Approx 0,65 x Su	-
Aluminium/ & alloys	Ssu = Approx 0,65 xSu	Ssyp = Approx 0,55 x Syp

References: Machine design Theory and Practice .A.D.Deutschman, W.A Michels & C.E. Wilson.. MacMillan Publishing 1975.
Machinery's Handbook 27 th ed.


Note: The original data is based generally on the reference above and I have completed a very crude review to confirm the information. The copper information is however very suspect..

For copper the reference above gives a value of S_su = Approx 0,9 x S_u...On reviewing a number of copper alloys there is a wide spread from about 0,5 to 0,9 the 0.9 applied to one leaded brass cast alloy.    I am tempted to remove copper from the table but as a very crude average I have simply changed the value to 0,65 please use with care or better still do not use...

Links containing Strength of Metals Information NDT- Materials /Processes ...Set of very clear notes. Copper Development Association ...Large quantity of information on copper AZom.com ...Lots of information on a large range of materials

Matter Index