An example of brittleness is glass shattering when dropped. Brittleness is a material property describing how easily a solid fractures when subjected to stress.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Brittleness is the opposite of ductility and malleability. A brittle material exhibits little or no plastic deformation before fracturing. Instead of bending or stretching, it breaks suddenly and often without warning.
Here's a breakdown:
-
Definition: Brittleness is the tendency of a material to fracture without significant plastic deformation.
-
Characteristics:
- Low ductility (inability to be drawn into a wire).
- Low malleability (inability to be hammered into thin sheets).
- Fractures easily under tensile stress or impact.
- Limited energy absorption before fracture.
-
Examples:
- Glass: As mentioned, glass is a classic example. It doesn't bend; it shatters.
- Cast Iron: It's strong in compression but weak in tension, leading to brittle fractures.
- Ceramics: Similar to glass, ceramics are known for their brittleness. Think of a ceramic tile breaking when dropped.
- Concrete: While concrete can withstand compressive forces well, it's brittle and prone to cracking under tensile stress.
- Some polymers: Certain polymers can also exhibit brittle behavior, especially at low temperatures.
-
Comparison to Ductile Materials: Ductile materials, like steel or copper, can undergo significant plastic deformation before breaking. They can be stretched, bent, or drawn into wires.
In summary, brittleness describes a material's tendency to break rather than bend or deform. Glass is a perfect and readily observable example of this property.
