Tensile Strength: Definition, Importance, Types, and Examples
What is Tensile Strength?
Tensile strength is the maximum amount of tensile stress that a material can withstand before breaking or failing. It is an important measure of a material’s mechanical properties and is commonly used to compare the strength and performance of different materials. The SI unit for tensile strength is the pascal (Pa), which is equal to one newton per square meter.
Importance of Tensile Strength
Tensile strength is a critical factor in the design and manufacture of a wide range of products, including medical devices, automotive components, bridges, buildings, consumer products, and more. By understanding the tensile strength of a material, engineers can determine the best material for a given application and optimize the design of the product for maximum strength and performance.
Types of Tensile Strength
There are two primary types of tensile strength: yield strength and ultimate tensile strength. Yield strength is the amount of stress at which a material begins to deform permanently. Ultimate tensile strength is the maximum amount of tensile stress a material can withstand before breaking. Tensile strength is typically measured in ksi (thousands of pounds per square inch) or MPa (megapascals).
Examples of Tensile Strength
The tensile strength of different materials varies significantly. For example, steel has a much higher tensile strength than plastic, with a yield strength of 250 ksi (1724 MPa) and an ultimate tensile strength of 400 ksi (2758 MPa). In contrast, the tensile strength of polypropylene plastic is much lower, with a yield strength of 2.4 ksi (16.5 MPa) and an ultimate tensile strength of 8.0 ksi (55.2 MPa).
Conclusion
Tensile strength is an important parameter for the design and manufacture of many products. By understanding the tensile strength of a material, engineers can select the best material for a given application and optimize the product design for maximum strength and performance. Different materials have different tensile strengths, with steel typically having the highest tensile strength and polypropylene plastic having the lowest.