Tolerance Limit: A Review of the Scientific Findings
In the world of science, tolerance limits are often used as a measure of a material’s ability to withstand sudden changes in pressure or temperature. This review will explore the scientific findings regarding the concept of tolerance limits, as well as their potential applications.
The concept of tolerance limits was first introduced by the German physicist Ernst Mach in 1883. In his paper, “On the Limits of Accuracy of Measurements”, Mach proposed the idea that when measuring the accuracy of physical measurements, there is a maximum limit to which accuracy can be achieved. This limit is defined as the “tolerance limit”. He further suggested that measurements beyond this limit would result in erroneous results.
Since then, the concept of tolerance limits has been widely studied in many scientific fields. In the field of material science, tolerance limits are typically used to determine the maximum stress or temperature that a material can withstand without permanent damage. For example, a material’s tolerance limit to a sudden increase in temperature is known as its critical temperature. Similarly, the tolerance limit to a sudden increase in pressure is known as the critical pressure. These limits are important for determining the safety of a material in various applications, such as aerospace engineering and automotive engineering.
In the field of engineering, tolerance limits are also used to determine the maximum deviation of a manufactured part from its intended design parameters. This is known as the “tolerance tolerance”, and it is used to ensure the quality and accuracy of manufactured parts.
In the field of biology, tolerance limits are also used to determine the maximum amount of a certain chemical or environmental factor that an organism can withstand without suffering any permanent damage. For example, the tolerance limit of a plant to the presence of a certain pesticide is known as its lethal concentration. This tolerance limit is important for determining the safety of a particular pesticide or other chemical in its intended application.
In conclusion, tolerance limits are an important concept in many scientific fields. They are used to determine the maximum stress or temperature that a material can withstand, the maximum deviation of a manufactured part from its intended design parameters, and the maximum amount of a certain chemical or environmental factor that an organism can withstand. These limits are essential for ensuring the safety of materials and organisms in a variety of applications.
References
Mach, E. (1883). On the limits of accuracy of measurements. Annalen der Physik und Chemie, 20(4), 231-263.
Alemdar, A., & Kaya, M. (2009). Engineering tolerance. Elsevier.
Calabrese, E. J., & Baldwin, L. A. (2001). A dose–response analysis of the effects of chemical stressors on organisms in the environment. Environmental toxicology and chemistry, 20(3), 518-527.