What is the Difference Between Ductility and Malleability?

Ductility and malleability are two related properties of materials, particularly metals, that describe their ability to undergo plastic deformation without breaking. Both properties allow a material to be shaped or formed without rupturing, but they differ in the type of stress applied and the form of deformation.

Ductility refers to a material's ability to plastically deform without breaking when tensile (stretching) stress is applied to it. Some examples of ductile materials include aluminum and copper, which can be easily drawn into wires or rolled into thin sheets without fracturing.

Malleability, on the other hand, is the ability of a material to plastically deform without breaking under compressive stress. A malleable material can be easily formed into a thin sheet by hammering or rolling. Examples of malleable materials include gold and lead, which can be hammered into shape without fracturing.

In summary, the key differences between ductility and malleability are:

• Type of stress applied: Ductility involves tensile stress, while malleability involves compressive stress.
• Form of deformation: Ductility refers to the ability to be drawn into wires or rolled into sheets, while malleability refers to the ability to be hammered into thin sheets or rolled.

Most metals are both malleable and ductile, as these properties often go hand in hand. However, some materials may exhibit one property but not the other, such as lead, which is malleable but not ductile.

Comparative Table: Ductility vs Malleability

Ductility and malleability are two important properties of engineering materials. While they both refer to a material's ability to deform without breaking, they differ in the type of stress under which the material is deforming. Here is a table outlining the key differences between ductility and malleability:

In summary, ductility is the ability of a material to plastically deform without breaking when tensile stress is applied, whereas malleability is the ability of a material to plastically deform without breaking under compressive stress.