Plasticity refers to the ability of a material to undergo permanent deformation without breaking. It allows the material to retain its deformed shape after the external force is removed.
- Stiffness is the resistance of a material to elastic deformation when a force is applied. It is not related to permanent deformation.
- Ductility refers to the ability of a material to undergo significant plastic deformation before rupture, but it is not the ability to retain the deformation.
- Hardness is the resistance of a material to indentation or scratching, not permanent deformation.
- Plasticity is the correct term for the ability of a material to retain deformation permanently.
Thus, the ability of a material to retain deformation permanently is called plasticity.