What term describes a material's ability to absorb energy in the plastic range or up to its fracture point?

The term that describes a material's ability to absorb energy in the plastic range or up to its fracture point is toughness. Toughness is a measure of how much energy a material can absorb before failing. It encompasses both the elastic and plastic deformation phases, meaning a tough material can undergo significant deformation without cracking or breaking.

In practical terms, toughness is often critical in applications where materials must withstand impact or sudden forces, as it indicates not only how much stress a material can endure but also how well it can handle the associated energy before it reaches its fracture point. This property is particularly important in structural engineering and materials science, where the integrity and durability of materials are vital for safety and performance.

Resilience, in contrast, refers to the ability of a material to absorb energy when deformed elastically and then release that energy upon unloading, which is different from the plastic deformation context. Elasticity pertains to the ability of a material to return to its original shape after deformation, while post-tensioning is a technique used in construction to strengthen concrete by applying tension to steel tendons within it. These concepts are related but address different aspects of material behavior.