elastifiable

Elastifiable is an adjective used chiefly in technical or theoretical discussions to denote a material, system, or property that can be made elastic or that can exhibit elastic behavior. In practice, elastifiability describes the potential, through processing, composition, or microstructural adjustment, to achieve reversible deformation within the material's elastic range. The term is not widely standardized and appears primarily in specialized texts in materials science, polymer physics, and related engineering fields.

Etymology and variants: The word derives from elastic + -ifiable, with the sense of "capable of being made elastic." Related forms include elasticizable and elastizable, though usage varies by author. In many contexts, writers may instead use more common terms such as elastic, elastomeric, or flexible when describing a material's properties rather than its potential to become elastic.

Examples and context: In polymers, elastifiability can refer to adjusting chain mobility, crosslink density, or the presence of plasticizers to promote elastic response. In composites, introducing a compliant matrix or interphase can enhance elastifiability. The concept is often contrasted with plasticity, where deformation becomes permanent. Because elastifiability is not a universally standardized term, readers should consult the specific source for how a given author defines it.

See also: elasticity, elastic modulus, polymer physics, plasticizer, elastomer.