Tensile strain

Definition

Tensile strain is the measure of deformation representing the elongation of a material under tensile stress. It's calculated as the change in length divided by the original length.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tensile strain is dimensionless and often expressed as a ratio or percentage.
2. It occurs when a material is subjected to stretching forces, causing it to elongate.
3. The formula for tensile strain is $\varepsilon = \frac{\Delta L}{L_0}$, where $\Delta L$ is the change in length and $L_0$ is the original length.
4. Tensile strain is directly related to tensile stress through Young's modulus: $\sigma = E \cdot \varepsilon$
5. Materials with high tensile strain tend to be more ductile, meaning they can undergo significant deformation before breaking.

Review Questions

• What is the formula for calculating tensile strain?
• How does tensile strain relate to Young's modulus?
• In what way does tensile strain indicate a material's ductility?

Related terms

Tensile Stress:

The force per unit area within materials that arises from externally applied forces; measured in Pascals (Pa).

Young's Modulus:

A measure of the stiffness of an elastic material; defined as the ratio of tensile stress to tensile strain.

Elastic Limit:

The maximum stress that a material can withstand without permanent deformation.