Duktility

Ductility is a mechanical property of a material that describes its ability to deform under tensile stress. When subjected to a stretching force, a ductile material can undergo significant plastic deformation before fracturing. This means it can be stretched or drawn into a wire without breaking. The extent of this deformation is a measure of its ductility. Metals like copper, gold, and aluminum are known for their high ductility. In contrast, brittle materials, such as glass or ceramics, fracture with little to no plastic deformation. Ductility is an important consideration in engineering design, especially for applications where materials are expected to bend, stretch, or undergo significant stress during their service life. It allows for the shaping of materials through processes like rolling, drawing, and extrusion. The opposite of ductility is brittleness. A material's ductility can be influenced by factors such as temperature, strain rate, and the presence of impurities.