brittle materials

[ˈbrɪtəl məˈtɪriəlz]
noun phrase
materiais frágeis
1. Solid materials that break or shatter easily when subjected to stress, with little or no plastic deformation before fracture
Glass and ceramics are brittle materials that crack under impact.
Vidro e cerâmica são materiais frágeis que racham sob impacto.
2. Materials characterized by low toughness and minimal ability to absorb energy before failure
Brittle materials typically fail suddenly without warning when their ultimate strength is reached.
Materiais frágeis geralmente falham subitamente sem aviso quando sua resistência máxima é atingida.
3. In engineering and materials science, substances that demonstrate little elongation or deformation before breaking
Understanding the properties of brittle materials is crucial in structural design.
Compreender as propriedades dos materiais frágeis é crucial no design estrutural.
In both Brazilian and Portuguese engineering fields, understanding brittle versus ductile materials is fundamental to structural safety codes and building regulations. The term is predominantly used in technical, academic, and industrial contexts rather than in everyday conversation. In Brazil, construction industries emphasize this distinction due to seismic considerations in certain regions, while Portugal focuses on it in maritime and coastal engineering applications.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
fragile materialsrigid materialshard but easily fractured materialslow-toughness materials
Antonyms / Antônimos
ductile materialsmalleable materialsplastic materialstough materialsresilient materials

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
materiais frágeis
Standard technical term used in engineering and materials science
São Paulo
materiais frágeis / materiais quebradiços
Both terms are used interchangeably in technical contexts
Portugal
materiais frágeis / materiais quebradiços
Same terminology as Brazilian Portuguese; 'frágil' is the preferred academic term
Engineering contexts (Brazil/Portugal)
materiais com baixa tenacidade
More precise technical designation emphasizing the material's toughness property

Related Words

fracture mechanicsmaterial toughnesstensile strengthelasticityductilityplasticityceramic materialscrystalline structure

Related Idioms & Phrases

as brittle as glass
break like brittle materials
handle with care (when referring to brittle materials)
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