Which of the following describes the term 'brittle fracture'?

Brittle fracture refers to the sudden and rapid failure of a material when it is subjected to excessive stress. This type of fracture typically occurs without any significant plastic deformation prior to failure, meaning that the material does not undergo the gradual bending or stretching that might typically precede a break. Instead, brittle fracture involves a sharp and clean separation, often resulting in a jagged break.

In the context of materials science and engineering, brittle fracture is influenced by factors such as temperature, material composition, and the speed of stress application. When materials are not able to absorb or redistribute energy through deformation, they tend to break abruptly, which poses considerable risks in various industrial applications. Understanding this concept is crucial for ensuring the integrity and safety of structures and components under load.

The other options describe different phenomena that do not align with the characteristics of brittle fracture. For example, gradual deformation is associated with ductile materials that can stretch and bend before breaking, while fracture during high-temperature exposure is typically linked to thermal stress or oxidation effects rather than the snap-like failure seen in brittle fractures. Additionally, the notion of deformation over time relates more to creep rather than the immediate and sudden nature of brittle fracture.