Difference between Ductility and Malleability
The main difference between ductility and malleability is that ductility is the property by which a metal can be drawn into wires, while malleability is the property by which a metal can be drawn into plates.
- Ductility is said to be the property of a material to stretch without getting damaged. Metals having ductile property can be stretched into wires. An example is copper wire.
- Malleability is said to be the property of a material to deform under compression. The metals having malleable property can be rolled or beaten into sheets. An example is aluminium foil.
Comparison Table between Ductility and Malleability
| Parameters of Comparison | Ductility | Malleability |
| Definition | The ability of a metal to be drawn into wires without breaking. | The ability of a metal to be beaten into sheets without breaking. |
| Forces | Tensile Stress. | Compressive Stress. |
| Suitable Metals | Copper, Aluminum, Platinum. | Gold, Silver, Iron. |
| Unsuitable Metals | Potassium, Sodium, Mercury. | Nickel in addition to Potassium, Sodium, and Mercury. |
| Test | Bend Test is used to measure Ductility. | Compression Test is used to measure Malleability. |
Main Differences Between Ductility and Malleability
- The main difference between ductility and malleability is that ductility is the ability of a metal to be drawn into wires, while malleability is the ability of a metal to be beaten into sheets.
- Ductility involves tensile stress, while malleability involves compressive stress.
- The most ductile metals are copper, aluminum, and platinum, while the most malleable metals are gold, silver, and iron
- Sodium, Potassium, and Mercury are neither ductile nor malleable, however, Nickel is a nonmalleable metal too.
- Bend test is used to test ductility, while compression test is used to test malleability.
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