Talk:Flexural strength

I'd prefer it if the introductory header denoted sigma as the symbol much earlier - e.g. "Flexural strength, denoted by $\sigma$, also known as the modulus of rupture or bend strength, is a mechanical parameter for a brittle material, defined as a material's ability to resist deformation under load. The transverse bending test is most frequently employed, in which a rod specimen having either a circular or rectangular cross-section is bent until fracture using a three point flexural test technique. The flexural strength represents the highest stress experienced within the material at its moment of rupture. It is measured in terms of stress, hence the given symbol of $\sigma$."

Since I tend to find that I often end up skipping long introductory sentences to get to the equations, and without reading the final words of the introduction, the reader stands no chance of interpreting which part of the equation is the flexural strength. 86.146.54.124 (talk) 15:15, 20 January 2013 (UTC)

Figure 2
What is figure 2 supposed to mean? Is it a graph? If so where and what are the axes? On its own it's a meaningless picture and even reading the reference to it in the article doesn't particularly help unless, like most Wikipedia technical articles, you already know what it means. 130.246.132.178 (talk) 15:54, 12 November 2013 (UTC)

It means that stress is greatest at the ends, and varies proportionally. Maybe there should be a note in the article explaining that. Jack Hodari (talk) 01:23, 3 June 2020 (UTC)

At yield vs at break
ISO 178 also mention the flexural strengh at break, that could be usefull for materials that are not fully brittle yet still break during the test. --Thibdx (talk) 21:35, 21 October 2018 (UTC)

How describe the material structures
The phrase homogeneous in the chapter Flexural versus tensile strength is, as per my opinion, ambiguous. It is for me less clear to what property homogenous does qualify. From my experience (engineering) I am used to other phrases, like isotropy and anisotropy. For these are already wiki pages as well: [|Isotropy] and [|Anisotropy]. Please check the material science chapters in these pages.

These two phrases do emphasize more that the material structure (crystals with metals, polymeric molecules with plastics and fibers with woods) in all directions is identical (isotropic material) or does differ from direction to direction (anisotropic material). In an isotropic material like steel can be expected that the tensile Elasticity-modulus (young's modulus) is equal to the bending Elasticity-modulus or Flexural modulus. The Young's modulus and Flexural Modulus will differ in anisotropic materials. Plastics can be isotropic, but due to production techniques (extrusion) the polymeric molecules are forced in the direction of the extrusion. In practical applications plastics are anisotropic. Natural wood is an anisotropic material because of the direction of its fibers. So for plastics, wood and composites with defined fiber orientations the Flexural or bending Modulus besides the Young's modulus is relevant.

I've looked around a while on the internet while writing a blog involving this isotropy/anistropy topic as well, so I can tell it is very difficult to find a trustworthy and readable source for the general public about this. Enough research is to be found, but that is often dealing only with a facet of the matter is not readable enough for the general public. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Teaglass (talk • contribs) 17:48, 21 November 2020 (UTC)