Ductility in metal refers to its ability to be what?

Ductility in metals is specifically defined as the ability of a material to undergo significant plastic deformation before rupture, which often includes the capacity to be drawn into thin wires or shaped into various forms. When a metal is said to be ductile, it indicates that it can be shaped through processes such as drawing or extrusion, where the material is pushed or pulled through a die to create a desired shape without breaking.

Extrusion is a common method used for ductile materials because it relies on the material's ability to flow under pressure. This is intrinsic to ductility, as it involves deforming the metal rather than merely reshaping it through hardening processes or thermal treatments. The ability to be shaped by extrusion effectively demonstrates ductility, making it the appropriate context of this term in relation to the options presented.