Stretching maps for tensors

We consider an algebra of even-order square tensors and introduce a stretching map which allows us to represent tensors as matrices. The stretching map could be understood as a generalized matricization. It conserves algebraic properties of the tensors. In the same time, we don't necessarily assume injectivity of the stretching map. Dropping the injectivity condition allows us to construct examples of stretching maps with additional symmetry properties. Furthermore, the noninjectivity leads to the averaging of the tensor and possibly could be used to compress the data.