Malleability

What is Malleability?

The property of a material that allows it to be hammered, rolled or pressed into a new shape without breaking. In metals it arises because layers of identical positive ions can slide over one another while the delocalised electrons keep holding the structure together.

This definition is part of the Metals chapter in Cambridge O Level Chemistry.

Concepts related to Malleability

• sliding layers
• foil and sheet

Common mistakes with Malleability

• 2. “Malleable means it can be drawn into wires.” Repair Malleable = can be hammered or pressed into shape. Ductile = can be drawn out into a wire. Copper wiring needs ductility; aluminium foil needs malleability. Swapping them is a straight lost mark. Where Lesson 9.1A.