stress-strain behavior

Stress-strain behavior describes how a material responds when force is applied. Stress is the force per unit area, while strain is how much the material stretches or deforms. When a material is loaded, it initially stretches elastically—returning to its original shape when the force is removed. If the force increases beyond a certain point, it may cause permanent deformation or failure. The stress-strain curve illustrates this relationship, showing the material's stiffness, elasticity, and strength. Understanding this helps predict how materials will perform under different forces and when they might break or deform.