RS TENSILE PVT IN INDIA tensile strength, maximum load that a material can support without fracture when being stretched, divided by the original cross-sectional area of the material. Tensile strength can be defined as the maximum stress that a material can bear before breaking when it is allowed to be stretched or pulled. Tensile refers to a type of external physical force applied to a material in a pulling direction away from its surface. Tensile typically refers to tensile strength or tensile stress. Tensile strength is one of the most important and widely measured properties of materials used in structural applications. High tensile strength plastics can take the place of metal in many applications, reducing weight and cost without sacrificing performance.