This study reports on the mechanical properties of single and bilayer monolayer MoS₂. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), the in-plane stiffness and breaking strength of monolayer MoS₂ were measured. The in-plane stiffness of monolayer MoS₂ was found to be 180 ± 60 Nm⁻¹, corresponding to an effective Young's modulus of 270 ± 100 GPa, which is comparable to that of steel. Breaking occurs at an effective strain between 6 and 11% with an average breaking strength of 15 ± 3 Nm⁻¹ (23 GPa). The strength of the strongest monolayer membranes is 11% of its Young's modulus, which is close to the theoretical upper limit, indicating that the material is highly crystalline and almost defect-free. These results suggest that monolayer MoS₂ could be suitable for applications such as reinforcing elements in composites and for fabrication of flexible electronic devices. The mechanical properties of monolayer MoS₂ were compared with those of other materials, including carbon nanotubes and graphene. The results show that monolayer MoS₂ has a high Young's modulus and strength, comparable to that of steel, and is suitable for integration with flexible substrates such as polyimide or polydimethylsiloxane. The study also shows that monolayer MoS₂ has exceptional mechanical properties, making it suitable for use in flexible electronic devices where commonly used substrates such as polyimide would undergo mechanical failure at a smaller deformation than MoS₂. The mechanical properties of monolayer MoS₂ were measured using AFM indentation experiments on suspended membranes. The results show that monolayer MoS₂ has a high Young's modulus and strength, comparable to that of steel, and is suitable for integration with flexible substrates such as polyimide or polydimethylsiloxane. The study also shows that monolayer MoS₂ has exceptional mechanical properties, making it suitable for use in flexible electronic devices where commonly used substrates such as polyimide would undergo mechanical failure at a smaller deformation than MoS₂.This study reports on the mechanical properties of single and bilayer monolayer MoS₂. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), the in-plane stiffness and breaking strength of monolayer MoS₂ were measured. The in-plane stiffness of monolayer MoS₂ was found to be 180 ± 60 Nm⁻¹, corresponding to an effective Young's modulus of 270 ± 100 GPa, which is comparable to that of steel. Breaking occurs at an effective strain between 6 and 11% with an average breaking strength of 15 ± 3 Nm⁻¹ (23 GPa). The strength of the strongest monolayer membranes is 11% of its Young's modulus, which is close to the theoretical upper limit, indicating that the material is highly crystalline and almost defect-free. These results suggest that monolayer MoS₂ could be suitable for applications such as reinforcing elements in composites and for fabrication of flexible electronic devices. The mechanical properties of monolayer MoS₂ were compared with those of other materials, including carbon nanotubes and graphene. The results show that monolayer MoS₂ has a high Young's modulus and strength, comparable to that of steel, and is suitable for integration with flexible substrates such as polyimide or polydimethylsiloxane. The study also shows that monolayer MoS₂ has exceptional mechanical properties, making it suitable for use in flexible electronic devices where commonly used substrates such as polyimide would undergo mechanical failure at a smaller deformation than MoS₂. The mechanical properties of monolayer MoS₂ were measured using AFM indentation experiments on suspended membranes. The results show that monolayer MoS₂ has a high Young's modulus and strength, comparable to that of steel, and is suitable for integration with flexible substrates such as polyimide or polydimethylsiloxane. The study also shows that monolayer MoS₂ has exceptional mechanical properties, making it suitable for use in flexible electronic devices where commonly used substrates such as polyimide would undergo mechanical failure at a smaller deformation than MoS₂.