Metals are an essential part of not only industrial performance, but life in general. There are so many different styles, sizes, and grades of metal; allowing for virtually an uncountable amount of uses. Aluminum Alloy 2014, for example, is one of the strongest heat treatable metals available, making it great for forging alloy for durable aircraft parts.
 
Though these metal products can all look the same to the untrained eye, there are plenty of intricacies involved that make each style different. Consider minimum yield strength and high yield strength, for instance, unless you are fully aware of the differences, you might end up utilizing the wrong type of metal for the wrong purpose. Hopefully, this information will help you better understand how to get the most out of metal and the differences between minimum yield and high yield.
 
The yield point is the point on a stress-strain curve that indicates the elasticity and the beginning of plastic behavior. Essentially, yielding means the start of the areas where the fibers begin to break (or bend). Specific minimum yield strength (SMYS) means the yield strength for steel pipe manufactured is in accordance with a listed specification. Throughout the oil and gas industry, SMYS is used under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Transportation (DoT).
 
Additionally, SMYS is an indication of the minimum stress a steel pipe can experience that will cause permanent deformation. The equation for finding SMYS is P x OD / (2 x T).

  • P — Pressure

 

  • OD — Piping’s Outside Diameter

 

  • T — Thickness

Yielding is essential for all kinds of aspects, but especially structural engineering. Since yielded structures have a lower stiffness, leading to increased deflections and decreased buckling strength, the structure could be permanently deformed when the load is removed, potentially resulting in residual stresses. Highly optimized structures like airplane beams and components rely on yielding as a fail-safe mode.

The majority of these specific types of alloys are exceptional metals, but are specialized and often very difficult to find without working with Diversified Metals. If you want to learn more about minimum yield strength metals, high yield steel, or checkout some durable stainless steel products, give Wieland Diversified a call right away.