Which property of strength resists a crushing force applied to a material?

• A. Shear strength
• B. Tensile strength
• C. Compression strength
• D. Corrosion resistance

Answer: (C)

The property of strength that specifically resists a crushing force applied to a material is known as compression strength. This property measures how much force a material can withstand when it is being compressed or squished. Materials with high compression strength are able to resist being crushed without deforming or breaking, which is essential in structural applications where loads can press down on components.

In contrast, shear strength pertains to how well a material can resist forces that attempt to cause elements to slide past one another, while tensile strength refers to the maximum amount of tensile (pulling) stress that a material can handle before failing. Corrosion resistance is not a measure of strength but rather the ability of a material to withstand deterioration caused by chemical action, and is therefore not applicable in the context of resistance to crushing forces. Understanding these distinctions helps in selecting the right material for specific applications in aviation and engineering fields.