Brittle Fracture

Brittle fracture is a type of sudden failure that occurs in materials, like metals or glass, when they are stressed beyond their limit without significant deformation. Unlike ductile fracture, where materials bend or deform before breaking, brittle fractures happen quickly and often without warning. This can occur at low temperatures or when a material has flaws or is subjected to fast loading. The break usually propagates rapidly along specific paths, resulting in sharp, jagged edges. Understanding brittle fracture is crucial in engineering and safety, as it can lead to unexpected failures in structures and components.