Stretching is a process in which a material is deformed plastically by an applied force. The material is stretched in one or more directions, causing the formation of cracks in the material. The most common method of stretching is tension, in which the material is stretched by an external force. Tension can be applied by hand, by machine, or by gravity. There are three types of tension: longitudinal, shear, and torsional. Longitudinal tension is the most common type of tension, and is caused by the application of force in the same direction as the material's length. Shear tension is caused by the application of force in a direction perpendicular to the material's length. Torsional tension is caused by the application of force in a direction that is parallel to the material's length.