The Cauchy stress tensor, denoted \(\boldsymbol{\sigma}\), is a second-order tensor that completely defines the state of stress at a point inside a material. It relates the traction vector (force per unit area) \(\mathbf{T}\) on any surface passing through that point to the surface’s normal vector \(\mathbf{n}\) via the linear relationship \(\mathbf{T} = \boldsymbol{\sigma} \cdot \mathbf{n}\).
