Physical Property · Reviewed definition

Tenacity

A material’s characteristic response to mechanical stress, including brittle, malleable, sectile, or elastic behavior.[1]

Plain English

What it means

Tenacity describes how a material deforms or breaks under stress.

Why it matters

It distinguishes types of mechanical behavior not captured by hardness alone.

Evidence

References

  1. 1
    More than the Mohs Scale: Gem Durability

    Gemological Institute of America

    Open source