In materials testing, what does toughness refer to?

Toughness is a critical property in materials testing that specifically refers to the ability of a material to absorb energy and undergo plastic deformation without fracturing. This property is essential for materials that must withstand impact or other dynamic loads, as it indicates how well they can deform and distribute stress under such conditions.

When a material is tough, it can absorb significant amounts of energy before breaking, making it suitable for applications where resilience against sudden forces or impacts is required. For instance, metals and polymers are often evaluated for their toughness when they are used in structures or components that encounter fluctuating stress levels.

The other choices pertain to different material characteristics. While resistance to deformation relates to rigidity and the ability of a material to maintain its shape under load, resistance to wear focuses on how well a material can withstand abrasion and surface degradation. Stability under harsh conditions refers to the material’s performance under extreme temperatures or corrosive environments, which does not directly address the concept of energy absorption and plastic deformation that toughness encapsulates.