What does the term "ductility" refer to in materials science?

Ductility is a crucial property in materials science that indicates a material's ability to undergo significant plastic deformation before ultimately failing or breaking. When a ductile material is subjected to stress, it can stretch or bend rather than break immediately, which allows for a degree of flexibility and resilience in applications where such deformations might occur.

This property is particularly important in many engineering applications where materials need to absorb energy and withstand forces without fracturing. For instance, in structural components, if a material is ductile, it can bend under stress and provide a warning before failure, allowing for safer designs.

Ductility is typically assessed through tests like tensile tests, where the elongation of the material is measured until rupture occurs. This characteristic is essential for materials used in manufacturing and construction, where both strength and the ability to deform under load are necessary for safety and performance.