What is the difference between brittle and ductile materials?

Brittle materials fracture easily, while ductile materials can deform without breaking.

Brittle materials are those that fracture easily when subjected to stress or strain. This is because they have little or no ability to deform before breaking. Examples of brittle materials include glass, ceramics, and some metals like cast iron. When a brittle material is subjected to stress, it will break suddenly and without warning, often resulting in sharp edges and dangerous shards. For more on how materials behave under stress, see Deformation Under Forces.

Ductile materials, on the other hand, can deform without breaking. This means that they can be stretched or bent without fracturing. Examples of ductile materials include copper, aluminium, and many types of steel. When a ductile material is subjected to stress, it will gradually deform until it reaches its breaking point. This makes ductile materials ideal for applications where flexibility and durability are important, such as in construction or engineering. To understand how materials stretch and bend, explore Elasticity and Plasticity.

In summary, the main difference between brittle and ductile materials is their ability to deform before breaking. Brittle materials fracture easily and without warning, while ductile materials can be stretched or bent without breaking. Understanding the properties of different materials is important in many areas of physics, including materials science, engineering, and mechanics. Learn more about how materials respond to different types of forces on Wave Parameters.