Search
Close this search box.

What Is Fracture Strength?

cnc machining (58)

cnc machining (56)

Fracture strength refers to the maximum stress or loading that a material can withstand before it undergoes a catastrophic failure by fracture. It defines the material’s ability to resist crack-based failure under an applied load. Fracture strength is typically expressed in units of pressure, such as pounds per square inch (psi) or pascals (Pa). The fracture strength of a solitary, blended, or composited material is a function of its inherent properties such as crystal lattice composition, alloy/composite structure, and manufacturing processes. Various materials exhibit widely varying levels of fracture strength due to their atomic arrangement and interatomic bonding.

Brittle materials like concrete, gray cast iron, and ceramics tend to possess high compressive strength but low fracture strength. They can withstand high compressive forces but are easily subject to fracture under tensile or bending stresses. Ductile materials like mild steel, aluminum, and many polymers encompass relatively lower compressive strength but higher fracture strength. This enables them to deform plastically before failure by cracking.

Fracture strength is significantly altered by various factors, including: temperature, rate of loading, presence of defects or flaws, and the nature of the applied stress (tensile, compressive, shear, etc.). Engineers and material scientists analyze fracture strength to optimize and select materials suitable for particular applications, based on an understanding of expected loads and required factors of safety to prevent catastrophic failures.

 

Table of Contents

Contact us

Get A Quick Quote

Ready to Work Together? Build a project with!

*You can upload your design here so that we can provide you with a more accurate quote.