Brittleness

Brittleness refers to a material's tendency to fracture or break suddenly without significant deformation when subjected to stress. Unlike ductile materials that bend or stretch, brittle materials behave rigidly and can shatter abruptly under force. Think of glass or porcelain—they can withstand certain conditions but will break suddenly if overstressed. Brittleness is influenced by factors like material composition and temperature. Understanding brittleness is important for safety and design, ensuring materials are used appropriately to prevent unexpected failure in structures or products.