Which process involves tearing or cutting material to achieve the desired shape?

The process that involves tearing or cutting material to achieve the desired shape is shearing. Shearing refers to the operation where materials are cut using a shear force—a force that causes two opposing parts to slide past each other. In this process, a cutting tool applies this force to the material, effectively removing sections to create a specific shape. It is commonly used in manufacturing where precision cutting is necessary and is important in various industries such as metal fabrication, textiles, and paper processing.

Joining refers to the process of bringing together two or more materials to form a single unit, usually through welding, adhesive bonding, or fastening. Bending involves the deformation of material by applying a force, which changes its shape without cutting it. Forming encompasses a wider range of processes, including bending, stretching, and compressing materials but does not specifically involve cutting. Therefore, shearing is the correct answer as it directly relates to the tearing or cutting mechanism used to achieve the desired shape.