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brittleness |
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brittleness [′brid·əl·nəs] (mechanics) That property of a material manifested by fracture without appreciable prior plastic deformation. Brittleness That characteristic of a material that is manifested by sudden or abrupt failure without appreciable prior ductile or plastic deformation. A brittle fracture occurs on a cleavage plane which has a crystalline appearance at failure because each crystal tends to fracture on a single plane. On the other hand, a shear fracture has a fibrous appearance because of the sliding of the fracture surfaces over each other. Brittle failures are caused by high tensile stresses, high carbon content, rapid rate of loading, and the presence of notches. Materials such as glass, cast iron, and concrete are examples of brittle materials. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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On a certain day, Miss Wren was alone at her work, with the house-door set open for coolness, and was trolling in a small sweet voice a mournful little song which might have been the song of the doll she was dressing, bemoaning the brittleness and meltability of wax, when whom should she descry standing on the pavement, looking in at her, but Mr Fledgeby. Woman is a thing of glass; But her brittleness 'tis best Not too curiously to test: Who knows what may come to pass? |
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