ductility

[duhk-til-i-tee]

noun

1. the capacity to undergo a change of physical form without breaking; malleability or flexibility.

   High ductility and very low hardness made gold easy to work using primitive techniques.

Other Word Forms

• nonductility noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ductility¹

ductil(e) ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Example Sentences

This specifically remarkable as resistance to oxidation and ductility still cannot be predicted sufficiently to allow a targeted material design -- despite the great progress that has been achieved in computer-assisted materials development.

Read more on Science Daily

Modern buildings are designed with a similar idea: “Buildings are designed with ductility to absorb that energy from the earthquake to keep people safe, so that they can safely exit the building.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The reinforcing pattern in the columns created ductility—meaning they could distort sharply without fatal rupture.

Read more on Scientific American

“You had to have ductility” — the ability to stretch.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Toughness comes from a blend of high strength and ductility, and it varies depending on the details of a structure, even if the material itself doesn't change.

Read more on Science Magazine