What material property refers to resistance against indentation?

The property that refers to a material's resistance against indentation is referred to as hardness. Hardness is a critical measure because it indicates how well a material can withstand localized plastic deformation, which occurs when a force is applied through an indentation, such as from a hard object. This characteristic is essential in applications where materials are subject to wear and abrasion, and it helps in identifying how they perform under various loading conditions.

Hardness is commonly assessed using various testing methods, such as the Brinell, Rockwell, or Vickers tests. These tests involve pressing a hard indenter into the material's surface and measuring the size or depth of the indentation left behind. A material with higher hardness will exhibit a smaller indentation than one with lower hardness when subjected to the same force.

Understanding hardness is vital for engineers when selecting materials for specific applications, particularly in fields like manufacturing and construction, where material strength and durability are critical for operational safety and longevity.