Ductility allows a material to:

Ductility is a property of materials that refers to their ability to deform under tensile stress. When a material is ductile, it can be stretched into a wire without breaking, which exemplifies its capacity to undergo significant plastic deformation. This property enables materials to maintain a new shape after stretching, making them versatile for various applications where deformation is required, such as in metalworking processes.

Materials that exhibit ductility are typically capable of being formed and shaped without loss of integrity, allowing industries to create components that fit specific dimensions and functions. In contrast to the other options, which either suggest the ability to return to the original shape or describe properties that do not involve permanent deformation, ductility focuses on the capacity to retain a new shape after being deformed. This understanding of ductility is crucial for millwrights and engineers when selecting materials for construction and machinery that can withstand various forces and stresses.