What attribute of a fabric refers to its ability to withstand tension without rupturing?

The attribute of a fabric that refers to its ability to withstand tension without rupturing is tensile strength. This characteristic is crucial in interior design, especially when selecting materials for upholstery, curtains, and other applications where the fabric will be subject to stress and use over time.

Tensile strength measures how much force a fabric can handle before it begins to break or fail. A higher tensile strength means that the fabric will be more durable and reliable in applications where it needs to maintain its shape and integrity under stress. This makes it particularly important for items like furniture covers or drapery that must endure pulling, stretching, and daily wear.

While elasticity refers to the capacity of a material to return to its original shape after being stretched, and durability encompasses the overall longevity of the material under various stressors (including but not limited to tensile strength), it is specifically tensile strength that quantifies how much tension the fabric can safely endure. Therefore, this attribute is essential in ensuring that the chosen fabric will not tear or fail during its intended use, making it the best choice for framing the correct answer.