bendable

Bendable describes an object's ability to be bent or flexed without fracturing. In materials science, bendability is closely related to ductility, malleability, and flexibility. A bendable material can undergo bending by applying a curving force, with the deformation potentially elastic (reversible) or plastic (permanent).

Bendability depends on material properties such as yield strength, Young's modulus, ductility, and thickness, as well as geometry and temperature. The minimum bend radius is a common metric: the smallest radius to which a component can be bent without causing permanent damage.

Common bendable materials include metals with high ductility (annealed copper, aluminum alloys, some steels) and many polymers (polycarbonate, polyethylene) as well as elastomers like silicone. In nanomaterials and composites, bendability can be engineered by layering, cross-linking, or adding flexible matrices. Glass and ceramics are typically less bendable, though some tempered or laminated forms can bend slightly under pressure.

Applications range from flexible cables and wiring to bendable electronics, soft robotics, and packaging. Manufacturers balance bendability against stiffness, strength, fatigue resistance, and environmental stability. Repeated bending can cause fatigue failure even in initially bendable materials.

Bendability is related to, but distinct from, pliability (ease of shaping at room temperature) and flexibility (ability to deform under load without damage). In design, bendable components may require reinforcement or protective coatings to maintain performance.