Mechanical strength

Mechanical strength describes the stress a material withstands before a specified limiting event, such as yielding or fracture. The event, loading mode and test conditions must be stated: tensile strength, compressive strength and yield strength measure different responses.

In a simple tension test, engineering stress is applied force divided by initial cross-sectional area, $\sigma =F/A_0$. A specimen carrying $10\mathrm{kN}$ over $100{\mathrm{mm}}^2$ experiences $100\mathrm{MPa}$ by that convention. Strength is distinct from Young's modulus, which relates tensile stress to elastic strain, and from fracture toughness, which concerns resistance to crack growth. Microstructure, defects, temperature and loading history can all influence the measured limit.