What does yield strength of a metal indicate?

Yield strength is a critical property of metals that indicates the maximum stress that a material can withstand while still being able to return to its original shape when the load is removed. This point marks the transition from elastic behavior, where the material deforms only temporarily, to plastic behavior, where permanent deformation occurs.

When a metal is subjected to stress, it will initially deform elastically up to the yield strength. Beyond this point, any further increase in stress will lead to permanent changes in the shape or dimensions of the material. Therefore, the yield strength is an important factor in determining the load-carrying capacity of structural components and ensuring they operate safely within their limits. Understanding yield strength helps in designing components that can withstand specific forces without undergoing permanent deformation, which is crucial in many welding and metallurgical applications.