tensile strength

American  

noun

1. the resistance of a material to longitudinal stress, measured by the minimum amount of longitudinal stress required to rupture the material.

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tensile strength British  

noun

1. a measure of the ability of a material to withstand a longitudinal stress, expressed as the greatest stress that the material can stand without breaking

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tensile strength Scientific  

/ tĕn′səl,tĕn′sīl′ /

1. A measure of the ability of material to resist a force that tends to pull it apart. It is expressed as the minimum tensile stress (force per unit area) needed to split the material apart.

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Etymology

Origin of tensile strength

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Tensile strength not less than 65,000 lbs. to square in.

From Scientific American, Vol. XLIII.?No. 1. [New Series.], July 3, 1880 A Weekly Journal Of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, And Manufactures by Various

Tensile strength seldom exceeds 15 kilos, but the elongation is usually higher—up to 600 or 700 per cent.

From The Preparation of Plantation Rubber by Morgan, Sidney

Tensile strength sufficient to "stretch considerably and return promptly to place without changing the inside diameter."

From School and Home Cooking by Greer, Carlotta Cherryholmes

The usual specifications are for refined iron: Tensile strength, 50,000; elongation, 15 per cent.; elastic limit, 26,000; reduction, 25 cent.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 613, October 1, 1887 by Various

Modulus of elasticity in bending Tensile strength Crushing strength Modulus of rupture Lbs. per sq. in.Lbs. per sq. in.Lbs. per sq. in.Lbs. per sq. in.

From The Mechanical Properties of Wood Including a Discussion of the Factors Affecting the Mechanical Properties, and Methods of Timber Testing by Record, Samuel J.

Related Words

• durability
• hardness
• inflexibility
• toughness