Which term describes the load that tends to elongate a material?

The term that describes the load that tends to elongate a material is tension. Tension refers to the force applied to a material that pulls it apart, creating an axial load that stretches the object along its length. This elongation occurs because the molecules within the material are pulled away from one another, allowing the material to experience an increase in length.

Understanding tension is crucial in aircraft metal structural repair, as metal components are often subjected to various loads during flight and service. Correctly identifying and applying the principles of tension helps ensure that repairs can withstand the forces they encounter.

In contrast, the other terms refer to different types of loads: torsion involves twisting forces, bending relates to forces that cause an object to curve, and shear pertains to forces that cause two adjacent parts of a material to slide past each other. Hence, these terms do not accurately describe the elongation of a material as tension does.