Tensile Strength: Meaning, Definition, Symbol, Formula and Unit

Today, in this article, I will explain the meaning of Tensile Strength, its definition, Symbol, Formula, and Unit. It is a very important topic in engineering. So you should read it thoroughly from start to end with your full attention…

Tensile Strength Meaning

When a material is pulled longitudinally from its ends, it develops stress in the material. This is the tensile stress which resists the pulling force. The maximum amount of stress thus developed in the material to resist this longitudinal pulling force before breaking is the Tensile Strength (TS) of the material. You can also call it Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) or simply Ultimate Strength. All of these three terms have the same meaning.

Also Read: Tensile Test or Tensile Testing [Explained with Graph]

So you can define it in the following way…

Tensile Strength Definition

It is the maximum amount of tensile stress that a material can withstand before breaking or getting broken.

Tensile Strength Symbol

This strength is generally represented by UTS or simply TS. Within equation, It is represented by Ftu.

Tensile Strength Formula

You can measure this Strength of material by calculating or measuring the maximum amount of force applied per unit cross-sectional area. Hence the formula for this type of material strength is:

UTS = P/A

Here, UTS = Ultimate Tensile Strength

P = Maximum Axial Pulling Force

A = Cross-Sectional Area

On the internet, some people are also searching for the “tensile strength equation”.

Tensile Strength Unit

As you noticed above, the formula for calculating the UTS uses the maximum force and the cross-sectional area, hence the unit of Tensile Strength will be N/m^2 or you can also use kg/cm^2. So you can also say the tensile strength unit is Pascal (Pa), KPa, MPa, etc..

Various Types

When it comes to various types of TS, there are mainly three types, as mentioned below:

1. Yield Strength
2. Ultimate Strength
3. Breaking Strength

Let me briefly demonstrate each one of these three types…

• Yield Strength

It is the maximum value of stress that a material can bear or withstand without deforming permanently.

• Ultimate Strength

As far as the meaning of the ultimate strength is concerned, it is actually the maximum value of the stress that a material is capable to bear or withstand.

• Breaking Strength

The point (on the stress-strain graph or diagram) at which the specimen finally breaks or a rupture takes place indicates the breaking strength of the material.

Applications

TS is one of the crucial parameters used in the testing of engineering materials. And, these engineering materials mainly include the ones that have their applications in various mechanical devices as well as various mechanical structures. Some examples of such materials are composite materials, alloys, wood, ceramics, etc.

Types of Tensile Failures

There are two types of tensile failures: Brittle Failure and Ductile Failure.

When, at a point of low stress, the material or specimen gets broken suddenly into 2 or more parts, that kind of failure is referred to as a brittle failure. And, on the other hand, when there is a breakage or failure after the formation of a “neck” in the specimen and there is also a hardening in the 2nd stage, that kind of failure is referred to as a ductile failure.

So this is all about Tensile Strength. I hope you understood all the points. If you have any doubts or need more clarification about any point, mention that in the comments below. And don’t forget to share this post with others also using social media. The social media icons are given below for helping you to share this post with others.

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Here below I have shared the links to some more important and hand-picked articles for you to read next:

Tensile Test of Mild Steel

Extensometer For Tensile Test