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Sahithyan's S1 -- Properties of Materials

Ductile-Brittle Transition

Ductile materials show brittle behavior as the temperature is lowered. This is known as ductile-brittle transition.

Ductile-brittle transition behavior of materials is studied by performing impact test over a range of temperatures.

The transition behavior is:

  • Sudden in BCC metals (eg: Steel)
  • Gradual in FCC metals (eg: Copper)

Ductile-Brittle Transition Temperature

The temperature which a material is:

  • brittle below the temperature
  • ductile above the temperature

Many steels exhibit this behaviour.