What Is Elongation?

Elongation

Elongation in terms of steel refers to the ability of the material to stretch or length under tensile (pulling) stress before breaking. It is a key measure of the steel's ductility, which indicates how much it can deform without fracturing. Elongation is typically expressed as a percentage increase in length from the original length of steel specimen during a tensile test. Higher elongation values mean the steel can withstand greater deformation, which is important in applications where flexibility and the ability to absorb energy or stress are crucial, such as in seismic-resistant structures or automotive components. Low elongation, on the other hand, suggests the steel is more brittle and prone to breaking under stress.