Elasticity vs. Ductility — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 17, 2024
Elasticity refers to a material's ability to return to its original shape after deformation, while ductility is the ability to be stretched into a wire without breaking.
Difference Between Elasticity and Ductility
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Elasticity is the property of a material to regain its original shape after being deformed by an external force. This characteristic is crucial in materials used in applications where temporary deformation occurs, such as springs and rubber bands. On the other hand, ductility describes a material's capacity to undergo significant plastic deformation before rupture, making it essential for manufacturing processes that involve drawing out materials into thin wires, like copper and aluminum.
In mechanical terms, elasticity is related to the material's elastic limit—the maximum stress that can be applied without causing permanent deformation. A material with high elasticity will return to its initial form after the removal of the force. Conversely, ductility is concerned with a material's ability to withstand tensile stress and is measured by the extent to which a material can be deformed plastically. Materials like gold and silver are highly ductile and can be drawn into very fine wires without breaking.
Elasticity involves reversible deformation. When the force is removed, the material recovers its shape. This property is essential in engineering to ensure that components return to their functional shape after loading. Ductility, however, involves permanent deformation. Once a ductile material is stretched, it does not return to its original shape but rather remains in the new form it has been drawn into, which is advantageous in applications requiring permanent shaping.
Materials with high elasticity, such as rubber, are used in products that need to absorb and release energy efficiently. On the other hand, materials with high ductility, like steel, are utilized in construction and manufacturing because they can be formed into various shapes without fracturing.
Elasticity is temperature-sensitive, often decreasing with increasing temperature, which affects the material's ability to return to its original shape. Ductility can also be influenced by temperature, but it often increases with rising temperatures, allowing for more significant deformation without breaking.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Ability to return to original shape after deformation
Ability to be stretched into a wire without breaking
Deformation
Reversible
Permanent
Measurement
Elastic limit (stress)
Tensile stress (extent of deformation)
Typical Materials
Rubber, springs
Copper, aluminum
Temperature Effect
Decreases with increasing temperature
Increases with increasing temperature
Compare with Definitions
Elasticity
The ability of an object or material to resume its normal shape.
Foam pillows are valued for their elasticity and comfort.
Ductility
The capacity to undergo significant plastic deformation before rupture.
Gold's ductility allows it to be formed into fine jewelry.
Elasticity
The ability of a material to resume its normal shape after being stretched or compressed.
Rubber bands exhibit high elasticity, quickly returning to their original shape.
Ductility
Ability of a material to sustain large plastic deformation.
The ductility of steel enables it to be used in structural applications.
Elasticity
Capacity of a body to resist a distorting influence and return to its original size and shape when that influence is removed.
The mattress's elasticity ensures it bounces back after being compressed.
Ductility
The ability of a material to be drawn out into a thin wire.
Copper is known for its excellent ductility, making it ideal for electrical wiring.
Elasticity
Property of materials to undergo non-permanent deformation.
Elastomers are used in applications requiring high elasticity.
Ductility
Ductility is a mechanical property commonly described as a material's amenability to drawing (e.g. into wire).
Elasticity
A physical property that measures the extent of reversible deformation.
The elasticity of the spring makes it perfect for the shock absorber.
Ductility
Easily drawn into wire or hammered thin
Ductile metals.
Elasticity
The condition or property of being elastic; flexibility.
Ductility
Easily molded or shaped.
Elasticity
The property of returning to an initial form or state following deformation.
Ductility
Capable of being readily persuaded or influenced; tractable
A ductile young mind.
Elasticity
The degree to which this property is exhibited.
Ductility
(physics) Ability of a material to be drawn out longitudinally to a reduced section without fracture under the action of a tensile force.
Elasticity
A measure of how changes in price affect supply or demand for a given good, equal to the percentage of change in supply or demand divided by the percentage of the price change.
Ductility
The property of a metal which allows it to be drawn into wires or filaments.
Elasticity
(physics) The property by virtue of which a material deformed under load can regain its original dimensions when unloaded
Ductility
Tractableness; pliableness.
Elasticity
(economics) The sensitivity of changes in a quantity with respect to changes in another quantity.
If the sales of an item drop by 5% when the price increases by 10%, its price elasticity is −0.5.
Ductility
The malleability of something that can be drawing into wires or hammered into thin sheets
Elasticity
(computing) A measure of the flexibility of a data store's data model and clustering capabilities.
Ductility
A measure of a material's ability to deform plastically.
The ductility of aluminum makes it suitable for foil production.
Elasticity
(computing) A system's ability to adapt to changes in workload by automatically provisioning and de-provisioning resources.
Ductility
Property of metals that allows them to be stretched without breaking.
Silver's ductility makes it perfect for intricate metalwork.
Elasticity
(mathematics) The ratio of the relative change in a function's output with respect to the relative change in its input, for infinitesimal changes at a certain point.
Elasticity
The quality of being elastic.
Elasticity
Adaptability.
Her elasticity allowed her to recover quickly.
Elasticity
The quality of being elastic; the inherent property in bodies by which they recover their former figure or dimensions, after the removal of external pressure or altering force; springiness; resilience; tendency to rebound; as, the elasticity of caoutchouc; the elasticity of the air.
Elasticity
Power of resistance to, or recovery from, depression or overwork; - usually referred to as resilience[3].
Elasticity
The tendency of a body to return to its original shape after it has been stretched or compressed;
The waistband had lost its snap
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between elasticity and ductility?
Elasticity is the ability of a material to return to its original shape after deformation, while ductility is the ability to be stretched into a wire without breaking.
Why is elasticity important in materials?
Elasticity is important because it allows materials to absorb and release energy, returning to their original shape, which is crucial in applications like springs and shock absorbers.
Can a material be both elastic and ductile?
Yes, a material can possess both properties, though usually one property is more pronounced. For example, metals like steel have both elasticity and ductility.
Is rubber more elastic or ductile?
Rubber is more elastic, as it can return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed.
Is steel more elastic or ductile?
Steel is both elastic and ductile, but it is primarily valued for its ductility in construction and manufacturing processes.
What are common materials that exhibit high ductility?
Common materials with high ductility include copper, gold, and aluminum, which can be easily drawn into wires and shaped without breaking.
How does temperature affect ductility?
Higher temperatures often increase ductility, allowing materials to undergo more plastic deformation before breaking.
What property is crucial for materials used in springs?
High elasticity is crucial for materials used in springs to ensure they return to their original shape after deformation.
How does temperature affect elasticity?
Increasing temperature generally decreases a material's elasticity, reducing its ability to return to its original shape after deformation.
What is an example of a highly elastic material?
A highly elastic material is rubber, which can stretch significantly and return to its original shape.
What is an example of a highly ductile material?
A highly ductile material is gold, which can be drawn into extremely thin wires without breaking.
Can plastic materials be ductile?
Yes, some plastic materials can be ductile, allowing them to be molded into various shapes without breaking.
Do all metals have high ductility?
Not all metals have high ductility; for instance, cast iron is relatively brittle compared to other metals like copper and aluminum.
What determines a material's ductility?
A material's ductility is determined by its ability to undergo significant plastic deformation before rupture, influenced by its internal structure and composition.
Why is ductility important in construction?
Ductility is important in construction because it allows materials to be shaped and deformed without breaking, providing structural integrity and flexibility.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
