Which fracture type is characterized by extensive plastic deformation before fracture?

The type of fracture characterized by extensive plastic deformation before fracture is known as ductile fracture. In ductile materials, such as many metals, the material will undergo significant deformation when subjected to stress before ultimately breaking. This deformation is often observed as a stretching or necking process, where the material shows clear signs of yielding, allowing for significant energy absorption during the fracture process.

Ductile fractures typically exhibit a rough, fibrous surface texture due to the plastic deformation that occurs before failure, which is in stark contrast to other types of fractures where such deformation is minimal or absent. The ability of a material to undergo plastic deformation before fracturing is a critical parameter in engineering, as it provides warnings of impending failure and allows for more robust design practices.

The other fracture types do not exhibit the same extensive plastic deformation characteristics. Brittle fracture, for instance, occurs with little to no deformation and can happen suddenly, usually resulting in a smooth and shiny fracture surface. Elastic fracture involves materials that return to their original shape upon unloading and does not typically lead to a fracture in the same context as plastic deformation. Fatigue fracture results from repeated stress cycles and typically involves cracks forming over time rather than a single event of deformation.