tensile strength

USAGE SUMMARY

"tensile strength" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the maximum amount of tension that a material is able to withstand before breaking. For example, "The bridge was designed with high tensile strength in order to safely support the increased traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Longer exposures, however, decrease tensile strength.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They displayed a particular combination of crustiness and tensile strength".

The New York Times

It has warmth of wool but not its tensile strength.

The New Yorker

It has a tensile strength, a dynamic expression.

The New York Times - Arts

Together, these elastomers combined ultrahigh tensile strength and excellent elasticity.

Nature

Fibres have great tensile strength and yet are also elastic.

Britannica

The prime property of a rope is its tensile strength.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The resulting fibers have a high tensile strength.

University of California, Berkeley

He knows the exact height and tensile strength of the corporate ladder.

The New Yorker

He sang with tensile strength and acted with a stage veteran's skill.

The New Yorker

It needs steel inside for tensile strength.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing material properties in scientific or engineering contexts, explicitly quantify "tensile strength" with appropriate units (e.g., MPa, psi) to provide precise information.

Common error

Ensure you're discussing the material's resistance to pulling forces ("tensile strength") and not its resistance to squeezing forces (compressive strength), as these are distinct properties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tensile strength" functions primarily as a noun, often used attributively to describe the property of a material. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase, often appearing in technical descriptions and analyses of material properties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

23%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tensile strength" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It quantifies a material's resistance to breaking under tension and is commonly found in scientific, technical, and engineering contexts. While its primary function is descriptive and analytical, it's essential to distinguish it from related concepts like yield strength and compressive strength. Its widespread use across authoritative sources underscores its significance in material science and engineering. The phrase's prevalence in contexts such as Science and News & Media highlights its broad applicability and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resistance to tension

Focuses on the act of resisting a pulling force rather than the strength itself, emphasizing the material's capacity to withstand tension.

breaking strength

Highlights the point at which a material fails under tension, emphasizing the maximum load it can bear before fracture.

ultimate tensile stress

More technical term emphasizing stress rather than strength, referring to the maximum stress a material can withstand before breaking while being stretched or pulled.

resistance to breakage

General term for how well something resists breaking, broadens the context from technical specifics to more common language.

elongation at break

Focuses on the amount a material can stretch before breaking. It describes the ductility of the material under tensile stress rather than strength.

tensile properties

Broader term including all characteristics related to a material's behavior under tension rather than just its strength.

material durability

Refers to how long a material lasts, encompassing tensile strength but also wear, corrosion, and other factors.

load-bearing capacity

Focuses on the ability to support a load while being stretched, emphasizing the practical application in structural contexts.

mechanical resistance

This is a very broad term that encompasses resistance to other mechanical forces, not just tension.

structural integrity

Highlights the overall soundness and robustness of a structure, incorporating tensile strength as one component.

FAQs

How is "tensile strength" measured?

The "tensile strength" is typically measured by subjecting a material to a controlled tension until it fails. The force required to cause failure, divided by the original cross-sectional area, is reported as the "tensile strength".

What factors affect a material's "tensile strength"?

Several factors can influence a material's "tensile strength", including its composition, processing methods, temperature, and the presence of defects. Humidity can also be a factor.

Which materials have high "tensile strength"?

Materials like steel alloys, carbon fibers, and certain polymers are known for their high "tensile strength". Carbon is also king for "tensile strength" and stiffness.

How does "tensile strength" differ from yield strength?

Tensile strength refers to the maximum stress a material can withstand before breaking, while yield strength is the stress at which the material begins to deform permanently. In short, "tensile strength" represents the point of fracture, whereas yield strength indicates the onset of plastic deformation.