Material Properties: Stiffness Versus Rigidity

Description

Mr Shiraz Sabah gives his expert insights and begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding the distinction between two often-confused terms: stiffness and rigidity. Stiffness is described as an intrinsic property of a material, such as titanium, which measures the extent to which the material can resist deformation under tension or compression, typically described by Young's modulus. In contrast, rigidity pertains to the overall structural integrity of a construct, such as a nail, which depends not only on the material it's made from but also on its shape and size. For instance, a nail constructed from cobalt chrome is indicated to possess greater rigidity than one made of titanium, illustrating how both material properties and geometric factors play a role in the rigidity of an object.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-251246