Question

Explain the meaning of malleable and ductile.

Answer 1

Hint: Malleability and ductility are related to each other. We know that some materials like metals have the ability to deform under compressive and tensile stress. They can be either deformed into thin sheets by hammering or rolling or can easily be stretched into wires. Let’s study these properties in complete detail.

Complete answer:
We already know that some materials, for example-metals have the property to deform into thin sheets by hammering or starched into wires. They have the ability to deform under compressive and tensile stress.
Malleability and ductility are both related to each other.
Malleability:
A malleable material is one which can be easily converted into thin sheets either by hammering or rolling. The material is deform under compressive stress. The term malleability comes from the word hammer and in a narrow sense, it means forged or extruded. Malleability of the metals increases with increases in temperature. This process involves the shaping of the material. These involve the hot working process like forging and rolling where hot ingots or slabs are given shapes.
For example- Gold is the most malleable metal and Aluminium, silver is the second most malleable metal.
Ductility:
Whereas, a ductile material is the solid material which can be easily stretched into wire when pulled. The material has the ability to deform under tensile stress. It is a permanent strain. Ductility of the metals decreases with increases in temperature. This is so because metals are weak at higher temperatures.
For example- Gold, silver and Platinum are the most ductile materials.

Note:
All the ductile materials are also malleable, however the reverse is not always true. For example – zinc. Zinc can be made into thin plates but cannot be stretched into wires. Hence, zinc is malleable but not ductile.