Cauchy's stress theorem ($\mathbf{t}(\mathbf{n})=\mathbf{\sigma }\mathbf{n}$)

Cauchy's stress theorem states that local contact traction depends linearly on the oriented unit normal vector: $t_i(\mathbf{n})={\sigma }_{ij}{n}_j$, with ${\sigma }_{ij}={\mathbf{e}}_i\cdot \mathbf{t}({\mathbf{e}}_j)$. It follows by balancing forces on a shrinking tetrahedron with three coordinate faces and one oblique face. Contact forces scale as the face area, while bounded body force and inertial contributions scale as its volume; dividing by the oblique face area and shrinking eliminates the latter. The coordinate-face projected areas are the oblique face area times $n_j$, giving the displayed linear map. Symmetry of the Cauchy stress tensor requires the additional balance of angular momentum in a continuum without independent couples.