View source for Strain

[[File:StressStrainGraph1.png|400px|right]]
As materials are loaded and subjected to some '''[[Stress]]''' they will deform either by stretching as a result of '''[[Tension|Tensile Forces]]''' or being squashed because of a '''[[Compression|Compressive Loading]]'''.


Strong materials may be deformed only by a microscopically small amount but in all cases, the resulting [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deformation_%28engineering%29 '''Strain'''] is calculated as being equal to the change in length divided by the original length and is allocated the Greek letter '''ε ''(epsilon)'''''.


As a sample of materials is subjected to '''[[Stress]]''' and consequently deformed in some way, the values of '''[[Stress]]''' and '''Strain''' can be plotted against each other to create a '''Stress/Strain Curve''' as shown.


Such graphs can be used to determine the '''[[Young's Modulus|Elastic Limit]]''' and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_tensile_strength '''Ultimate Tensile Strength ''(U.T.S.)'''''] of a material.


The '''[[Stress]]''' divided by the '''Strain''' during the '''[[Young's Modulus|Elastic Stage]]''' is a measure of the '''stiffness''' of a material and is known as its '''[[Young's Modulus]]''' or '''Modulus of Elasticity'''.


[[Category:Terminology]]