material properties and uses

1. sonorous

1.1. capable of producing a deep or ringing sound E.g. the alloy is sonorous and useful in making bells

2. strength

2.1. the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure. E.g. they were taking no chances with the strength of the retaining wall

3. hardness

3.1. the quality or condition of being hard. E.g. people complained about the hardness of the chairs

4. brittle

4.1. hard but liable to break easily. E.g. her bones became fragile and brittle

5. rigid

5.1. unable to bend or be forced out of shape; not flexible. E.g. a seat of rigid orange plastic

6. flexibility

6.1. the quality of bending easily without breaking. E.g. players gained improved flexibility in their ankles

7. malleability

7.1. (of a metal or other material) able to be hammered or pressed into shape without breaking or cracking. E.g. "a malleable metal can be beaten into a sheet"

8. ductile

8.1. (of a metal) able to be drawn out into a thin wire. E.g. able to be deformed without losing toughness; pliable, not brittle.

9. thermal conductivity

9.1. the rate at which heat passes through a specified material, expressed as the amount of heat that flows per unit time through a unit area with a temperature gradient of one degree per unit distance.

10. electrical conductivity

10.1. the degree to which a specified material conducts electricity, calculated as the ratio of the current density in the material to the electric field which causes the flow of current.

11. density

11.1. the degree of compactness of a substance. E.g. "a reduction in bone density

12. absorbent

12.1. (of a material) able to soak up liquid easily. E.g. absorbent kitchen paper

13. waterproof

13.1. impervious to water. E.g. a waterproof hat

14. transparency

14.1. the condition of being transparent. E.g. the transparency of ice