Tensile strength

The maximum stress withstood by a material during a tensile test.

During a tensile test, the applied stress is continually increased until the test piece breaks. In practice, the stress rises to a maximum and then falls as the test piece begins to stretch prior to failing. This maximum value is used to determine the tensile strength. This is also known as the ultimate tensile strength.

The tensile strength of a metal can be improved by through hardening.