tvárné

Tvárné is a Czech adjective describing the ability of a material to be shaped or formed without breaking. In materials science, the noun form tvárnost (malleability) refers to a material's capacity to undergo permanent plastic deformation under compressive stress, allowing it to be shaped by processes such as hammering, rolling, or pressing to produce sheets or other forms.

Malleability is related to, but not identical with, ductility. Ductility denotes deformation under tensile stress, typically allowing drawing into wires. Both are aspects of plasticity, but they describe performance under different loading modes. Materials can be highly malleable while not equally ductile, and vice versa.

Commonly cited malleable metals include gold, copper, and aluminum, which can be shaped readily into sheets and complex forms. Steel and iron can also be malleable, especially after heat treatment such as annealing. In contrast, cast iron, many ceramics, and most polymers exhibit limited or no malleability under ordinary conditions.

In practical terms, malleability is a key property exploited in metalworking and manufacturing. It enables forging, rolling, and extrusion to produce components ranging from coins and cookware to automotive parts and electronic enclosures. The concept is widely used in engineering, metallurgical literature, and quality assessments to characterize how easily a material can be shaped without fracturing.