Across numerous industries, stakeholders must assess the advantages and disadvantages of using the various types of metals available. But while some qualities are fairly straightforward and easy to understand—such as cost and strength—others may be difficult to differentiate for those outside of the metal finishing industry. For example, ductility vs. malleability can often be a source of confusion, as while both refer to types of workability, they mean different things.
In today’s blog post, the Polished Metals team is answering the question: What’s the difference between malleability and ductility? We’ll also share a bit about where each quality may—or may not be—advantageous.
What Is Malleability?
Malleability refers to the ability of a material to bend or compress without breaking. A highly malleable material can be rolled into thin sheets or pounded flat using various tools, such as a hammer or press.
What Is Ductility?
Ductility, on the other hand, refers to how well a metal can stretch without breaking apart. Metals that are highly ductile are commonly used for wiring or for other use cases in which the metal must be stretched or pulled to form its shape.
What Is the Difference Between Malleability and Ductility?
On the surface, malleability and ductility seem quite similar, as both properties will ultimately dictate how easily a metal can be formed into specific shapes. However, the primary difference is that malleability has to do with flattening and forming, while ductility has to do with stretching and withstanding tensile stress.
An easy mnemonic or trick to distinguish between the two is to remember “mallet” for malleability and “duct” for ductility. A mallet may be used to flatten out a malleable material, while ducts are long stretches of formed metal.
Ductility vs. Malleability: Why Does the Difference Matter?
In many cases, the difference between a metal’s malleability and ductility may not matter all that much. After all, many use cases that call for workable metals will use metals that are both highly ductile and highly malleable.
For example, aluminum is a highly malleable metal, able to be formed into very thin sheets (such as aluminum foil), but it is also one of the most ductile metals. Gold, meanwhile, is both the most malleable and most ductile metal—pure gold can even be molded to some extent by using the warmth of your hand!
There are cases where the difference is quite impactful, however. Lead, one of the most malleable metals, is actually quite brittle when stretched. Steel is generally both malleable and ductile, but its ductility is generally more dependent on the specific alloy used.
Overall, while the difference between malleability and ductility may not always matter, when it does, the distinction is often crucial.
Reach Out to Polished Metals for Your Metal Finishing Needs
Polished Metals is known around the world for our best-in-class metal finishing and polishing capabilities. With a 50,000-square-foot facility, we maintain a large inventory of highly workable non-ferrous metals, including aluminum, brass, bronze, and more.
No matter what the demands of your project, we have the metal finishing equipment, experience, and know-how to meet your needs and your timeline. Our expertise and in-house metal finishing capabilities are unmatched. No matter the size or requirements of your project, we’re ready to tackle it. Reach out today for a quote!