Mechanical metallurgy is an area of knowledge that deals with the behavior and response of metals to applied forces or loads. It covers aspects of physical metallurgy, applied mechanics, and plastic forming of metals, as well as the engineering aspects of mechanical failure of metals. Although it is not a precisely defined area, much data concerning weldments can be determined by mechanical testing.
Basic data concerning the strength of metals, and measurements for routine control of mechanical properties are obtained from a relatively small number of
standardized mechanical tests. Common testing techniques associated with the mechanical testing of welds are tension, torsion, fatigue, hardness, bend, creep, and
impact testing. The results of these tests are used to indicate how the metals and weldments will perform in service and how metallurgical variables are affected
by the mechanics of these tests. See METALLURGY.