It is the ability of a material to absorb energy while being deformed before breaking. In every piece, prior to breaking or fracture, a pre-cracking phenomenon occurs, hence toughness is defined as the resistance to crack propagation of the material.

The toughness obtained in a piece will depend on the chemical composition, the forming processes prior to its carrying out and the heat treatment if it has been made. Any defect or internal discontinuity that a piece may present will be detrimental to its toughness.

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