What is Ductility? Definition, Examples, and Applications

Ductility is a measure of a material's ability to deform without breaking. It is defined as the ability of a material to be stretched or drawn out into a thin sheet without breaking. Ductile materials can be stretched or deformed plastically without breaking, and will return to their original shape when the force is removed.

Examples of ductile materials include metals such as copper, gold, and aluminum, as well as some polymers and composites. These materials have a high degree of elongation at break, which means they can be stretched a long way before breaking. In contrast, brittle materials such as glass and ceramics are not ductile and will break easily when subjected to stress.

Ductility is an important property in many engineering applications, as it allows for the design of structures that can withstand large loads and deformations without failing. For example, ductile metals are often used in construction to create beams and columns that can bend and stretch under load without breaking. In addition, ductile materials are also used in the manufacture of springs, wires, and other components that require high flexibility and resistance to failure.

In summary, ductility is a measure of a material's ability to deform without breaking, and it is an important property in many engineering applications where structures need to withstand large loads and deformations without failing.