I got this from an on-line dictionary
Main Entry: mal·lea·ble
Pronunciation: \ˈma-lē-ə-bəl, ˈmal-yə-bəl, ˈma-lə-bəl\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English malliable, from Medieval Latin malleabilis, from malleare to hammer, from Latin malleus hammer -- more at maul
Date: 14th century
1: capable of being extended or shaped by beating with a hammer or by the pressure of rollers
2 a: capable of being altered or controlled by outside forces or influences b: having a capacity for adaptive change
synonyms see plastic
-- mal·lea·bil·i·ty \ˌma-lē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē, ˌmal-yə-, ˌma-lə-\ noun
Another good description of malleability can be found at
http://www.engineersedge.com/material_science/malleability.htm (same source as Flash)
I hear many people use the two terms interchangably. The difference as I understand it is that ductility is associated with tensile loads whereas malleability is associated with compressive loads. I only mention the difference so that the fellow asking the question in this thread understand that there is a difference between the two terms.
By the way, how's your summer going my friend? It won't be long before spring arrives in the upper half of the globe once again. Winters nearly half over! It amazes me how the sun can be so bright and yet the temperature so darn cool!
Best regards - Al