Comparative analysis of yield strength and tensile strength
The following are some of the major differences between yield strength and tensile strength:
Yield strength is measured at the point of plastic deformation.
Tensile strength is measured at the point of fracture. Tensile strength is rarely used in the design consideration of structures made from ductile materials. This is because these materials undergo substantial deformation before their tensile strength is reached. Rather, yield strength is considered for ductile materials, while tensile strength is used for brittle materials.
During design considerations, tensile strength is analyzed only in uni-axial loading. Multi-axial stress states are estimated in yield strength analysis.
Deformation of materials occurs after yield strength has been surpassed, while tensile strength is reached after deformation has taken place. In brittle materials, tensile strength is reached with minimal or no yield.
Tensile strength is usually of a higher numerical value than the yield strength of a particular material.
The tensile strength of a material can be ascertained with 100% accuracy. However, yield strength has to be estimated for most materials.
1. That is, as specimen diameter decreases, the fracture load correspondingly decreases to maintain a constant value of load divided by area, which is the tensile strength. Therefore, having a thicker diameter can cause tensile strength to go down.