Meaning & use
yield strength
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Meaning
nouncountable or uncountabletechnicalphysics
The amount of stress a material can take before it begins to bend or stretch permanently instead of returning to its shape.
Grammar: Usually a measured value: the steel has a high yield strength.
Patterns
- the yield strength of something
The yield strength of this steel is far higher than that of aluminum.
Engineers must make sure the load stays below the yield strength.
Heat treatment can raise the yield strength of the alloy.
Word forms
| plural | yield strengths |
|---|
Common combinations
- high yield strength
- Bridge cables need a high yield strength.
- exceed the yield strength
- If the load exceeds the yield strength, the beam bends permanently.
- yield strength of steel
- The yield strength of steel varies by grade.
- measure the yield strength
- The lab measures the yield strength with a tensile test.
Synonyms and how they differ
- yield point
- Yield point is the exact stress at which yielding begins, while yield strength is the value used to describe a material.
- elastic limit
- Elastic limit is the theoretical edge of springing back, and yield strength is its practical measured version.
- tensile strength
- Tensile strength is the maximum stress before breaking, so it is higher than yield strength.
Word family
Commonly confused: yield strength or tensile strength?
yield strength vs tensile strength
Tensile strength is where the material finally breaks, while yield strength is where it starts to deform permanently.
Practice
A metal rod is loaded beyond its yield strength. What happens?
Choose one answer.
Past the yield strength the deformation is permanent. Breaking happens later, at the tensile strength.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “yield strength”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.