Which of the following is NOT characteristic of ceramics?

Ceramics are a class of materials known for their distinct sets of properties, which include high hardness and strength, but also certain limitations. The characteristic that stands out as not associated with ceramics is ductility.

Ductility refers to a material’s ability to deform under tensile stress, often manifested as the ability to be stretched into wire. Ceramics, by their nature, are typically brittle and unable to undergo significant plastic deformation before fracture. This brittleness results from their atomic structure, which is often characterized by strong bonding (like covalent or ionic bonds) that does not allow for the movement of dislocations that facilitates ductility in metals.

The correct answer highlights that whereas ceramics possess low thermal conductivity, strong covalent-ionic bonding, and varying fatigue resistance, ductility is not a feature of ceramics. Understanding the properties of ceramics in contrast to other materials, such as metals, which exhibit both strength and ductility, is essential for applications in tissue engineering where material selection is pivotal.