Material Failure

Material failure occurs when a material can no longer withstand the forces or stresses applied to it, leading to a break, crack, or loss of functionality. This can happen due to factors such as excessive load, fatigue over time, environmental conditions like corrosion, or defects in the material. Failures may be sudden or gradual, and understanding the cause helps in designing safer, more durable structures and products. Essentially, failure indicates the limit where the material’s internal strength is exceeded, resulting in the loss of its intended performance.