Tensile Strength

Term: Tensile StrengthDefinition: The maximum amount of tensile stress that a material can withstand before breaking or failing.Phonetic Pronunciation: (TEN-sile STRENGTH)Origin: The term "tensile" derives from the Latin word "tendere," meaning "to stretch." "Strength" comes from the Old English "strengþu," which relates to power or force. Together, these terms describe a material's ability to resist breaking under tension.Significance in Asbestos Context: Tensile strength is crucial in understanding the durability and potential hazards of asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos fibers have high tensile strength, which contributes to their use in various industrial applications but also increases the risk of fiber release and inhalation when the materials are damaged or disturbed.Example Sentence: The high tensile strength of asbestos fibers made them a popular choice for reinforcing materials in construction, despite the health risks associated with their use.Related Terms: Asbestos Fibers, Durability, Material Properties, Fiber Release, Inhalation HazardNotes: - Tensile strength is just one of many mechanical properties considered when evaluating asbestos-containing materials. - The tensile strength of asbestos can vary depending on the type of asbestos fiber. - High tensile strength does not necessarily correlate with safety in asbestos-containing products.