What definition best describes an overstress failure?

• A. A failure due to corrosion
• B. More stress on the part than it was designed to withstand
• C. A failure caused by wear
• D. A failure due to manufacturing defect

Answer: (B)

Overstress failure occurs when the stresses acting on a component exceed what it was designed to tolerate. When a part is subjected to loads beyond its design strength, it can yield, crack, or fail outright because the material and structure are overwhelmed by the force or shock applied. This is about the external load exceeding the designed limits, not about gradual material degradation or a flaw from manufacturing. Corrosion and wear are processes that degrade material over time, while a manufacturing defect is a flaw introduced during fabrication; neither defines an overstress event by itself. So the best description is a situation where there is more stress on the part than it was designed to withstand.