Skip to content
Back to glossary
MaterialsMay 9, 2026|3 min read

Tensile Strength

Tensile Strength is a core engineering term. Definition, usage notes, and a practical example.

Definition

Tensile strength is the maximum stress a material can carry in tension.

Why it matters

It indicates capacity before fracture but is not enough alone for design.

How it is used

In a design check, first define the relevant load, dimension, material, or flow condition. Then interpret this term by its role in the formula and compare it with limits.

Example

A material may have high tensile strength but still yield permanently if yield strength is low.

Formulas

No formulas added for this term.