diff --git a/python/damask/mechanics.py b/python/damask/mechanics.py
index dad601701..8ff154295 100644
--- a/python/damask/mechanics.py
+++ b/python/damask/mechanics.py
@@ -1,6 +1,18 @@
 import numpy as np
 
 def Cauchy(F,P):
+  """
+  Calculate Cauchy stress from 1st Piola-Kirchhoff stress and deformation gradient.
+    
+  Resulting tensor is symmetrized as the Cauchy stress needs to be symmetric.
+  
+  Parameters
+  ----------
+  F : numpy.array of shape (x,3,3) or (3,3)
+     Deformation gradient.
+  P : numpy.array of shape (x,3,3) or (3,3)
+     1st Piola-Kirchhoff.
+  """
   if np.shape(F) == np.shape(P) == (3,3):
     sigma = 1.0/np.linalg.det(F) * np.dot(F,P)
     return (sigma+sigma.T)*0.5
@@ -9,15 +21,65 @@ def Cauchy(F,P):
     return (sigma + np.transpose(sigma,(0,2,1)))*0.5
 
 
-def deviator(x):
+def deviatoric_part(x):
+  """
+  Calculate deviatoric part of a tensor.
+    
+  Parameters
+  ----------
+  x : numpy.array of shape (x,3,3) or (3,3)
+     Tensor.
+  """
   if np.shape(x) == (3,3):
     return x - np.eye(3)*np.trace(x)/3.0
   else:
     return x - np.einsum('ijk,i->ijk',np.broadcast_to(np.eye(3),[x.shape[0],3,3]),np.trace(x,axis1=1,axis2=2)/3.0) 
 
 
-def spherical(x):
+def spherical_part(x):
+  """
+  Calculate spherical(hydrostatic) part of a tensor.
+  
+  A single scalar is returned, i.e. the hydrostatic part is not mapped on the 3rd order identity matrix. 
+    
+  Parameters
+  ----------
+  x : numpy.array of shape (x,3,3) or (3,3)
+     Tensor.
+  """
   if np.shape(x) == (3,3):
     return np.trace(x)/3.0
   else:
     return np.trace(x,axis1=1,axis2=2)/3.0
+    
+    
+def Mises_stress(sigma):
+  """
+  Calculate the Mises equivalent of a stress tensor.
+  
+  Parameters
+  ----------
+  sigma : numpy.array of shape (x,3,3) or (3,3)
+     Symmetric stress tensor.
+  """
+  s = deviatoric_part(sigma)
+  if np.shape(sigma) == (3,3):
+    return np.sqrt(3.0/2.0*np.trace(s))
+  else:
+    return np.sqrt(np.einsum('ijk->i',s)*3.0/2.0)
+    
+    
+def Mises_strain(epsilon):
+  """
+  Calculate the Mises equivalent of a strain tensor.
+  
+  Parameters
+  ----------
+  sigma : numpy.array of shape (x,3,3) or (3,3)
+     Symmetric strain tensor.
+  """
+  s = deviatoric_part(epsilon)
+  if np.shape(epsilon) == (3,3):
+    return np.sqrt(2.0/3.0*np.trace(s))
+  else:
+    return np.sqrt(2.0/3.0*np.einsum('ijk->i',s))