What is the common use of a torque wrench?

A torque wrench is specifically designed to apply a precise amount of torque to a fastener, such as a bolt or nut. This capability is crucial in various mechanical applications where achieving a specific torque is necessary to ensure the integrity and safety of the assembly. By controlling the amount of torque applied, users can prevent issues such as over-tightening, which can lead to equipment failure, or under-tightening, which can result in loose connections.

The other options relate to different functions that are not within the torque wrench's design. For instance, measuring angular velocity is typically done with specialized equipment like tachometers, while tightening bearings often involves different tools suited for bearing installation. Assessing tensile strength usually requires a tensile testing machine that can accurately measure how materials respond to forces. Thus, the primary and correct use of a torque wrench is to apply a specific torque measurement, ensuring that fasteners are tightened to the required specifications.