Risk Based Inspections : Potential Failure Mode

Brittle, or non-ductile, materials will not undergo significant plastic deformation before breaking. Failure of a brittle material occurs suddenly, with little or no warning. Structural materials that are generally brittle include concrete, cast iron, stone and timber.

Ductility is the measure of plastic (permanent) strain that a material can endure. A ductile material will undergo a large amount of plastic deformation before breaking. It will also have a greatly reduced cross-sectional area before breaking. Structural materials that are generally ductile include steel and aluminium.