Ductilize

/ˈdʌktɪlaɪz/ verb

Definition

To make ductile or more ductile; to treat a material in a way that increases its ability to be drawn into wires or shaped without breaking.

Etymology

From 'ductile' plus the verb-forming suffix '-ize' (from Greek 'izein'). This technical term emerged in metallurgy and materials science in the 20th century.

Kelly Says

Heating and annealing metals ductilizes them by allowing atomic rearrangement—this is why blacksmiths heat metal before hammering it, making it flexible rather than brittle.

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