Which of the following best describes the goal of stress concentration reduction in materials?

The goal of stress concentration reduction in materials is primarily focused on minimizing the points of high stress that can lead to failure. Smoothing edges and removing burrs is fundamental in achieving this objective because these features can create sharp transitions or irregularities on the surface of a material, which act as focal points for stress. Such stress risers can significantly weaken the material and increase the likelihood of cracks or other failure modes during use.

By ensuring that surfaces are smooth and free of burrs, the material can distribute stress more evenly across its structure, reducing the potential for localized failures. This technique is particularly important in aerospace applications where materials are subjected to various loading conditions and need to maintain integrity under stress.

Other choices do not directly contribute to the effective reduction of stress concentrations. Enhancing overall material thickness may add strength but can also increase weight without addressing localized stress issues. Increasing the weight of materials does not relate to stress concentration reduction; in fact, it can compromise performance in flight applications. Applying additional heat treatment can improve material properties, but it does not specifically target the reduction of stress risers that can lead to critical failure points.