Stress that arises within an object (typically of metal) independently of any applied forces, e.g. as a result of differential heating or cooling of different parts, or differential stresses.
Origin
Early 19th century.
Definition of internal stress in US English:
internal stress
noun
Stress that arises within an object (typically of metal) independently of any applied forces, e.g. as a result of differential heating or cooling of different parts, or differential stresses.