adjective

ductile

DUK-tile/ˈdʌktaɪl/

Capable of being drawn out without breaking.

Copper is ductile enough to be drawn into thin wire.

A copper rod is drawn through a die into a long thin unbroken wire, simple technically accurate illustration.

Etymology

Here “draw” means pulling material out into a longer, thinner form. The Latin idea of being drawable became the specific property of a metal that can be stretched into wire.

In context

nptelhrd44:56

ductile material typically you will observe something known as a cup and cone fracture

Mod-01 Lec-16 Defect Structure & Mechanical Behaviour of Nanomaterials

More examples

Gold is highly ductile, so a small amount can form a long wire.
This alloy becomes less ductile at low temperatures.
Engineers choose a ductile metal that stretches rather than snaps.

Forms

ductile · more ductile · most ductile

ductility noun — Ability to stretch without breaking.

Similar words

malleable: Describes materials shaped by hammering or pressing, not necessarily stretching.
flexible: Describes materials that bend easily, without necessarily stretching.
elastic: Describes materials that regain their shape after being stretched.