What term refers to the amount of tightening required to secure a threaded fastener?

The term that refers to the amount of tightening required to secure a threaded fastener is torque. Torque is a measure of the rotational force applied to a fastener, which is crucial for achieving the desired tension in the fastened joint. Proper torque ensures that the fastener is neither too loose, which can lead to joint failure, nor too tight, which can cause damage to the fastener or the materials being joined.

Tension refers to the axial load or stretching force that occurs in the fastener when it is tightened, but it is the torque applied that helps achieve that tension. Load typically refers to the weight or force that the fastener is supporting but does not specifically denote the act of tightening. Force is a broader term that encompasses various types of applied mechanical influence but lacks the specific rotational context that torque provides for securing fasteners. Thus, torque is the precise term that directly relates to the amount of tightening needed for effective fastening.