Frangibility

Frangibility refers to the characteristic of an object or material that makes it readily breakable, brittle, or easily shattered upon impact or stress. This quality is often desired in specific applications to minimize damage to other surrounding structures or components by absorbing the energy of a collision or preventing dangerous fragmentation. The level of Frangibility can be a critical design consideration, especially where safety or ease of removal is of paramount concern.

Frangibility meaning with examples

• The new airport radar domes are built with high frangibility. This means they are designed to shatter upon impact with an aircraft, minimizing damage to the plane and preventing potential catastrophic consequences. The materials used allow for easy replacement, and the design avoids hazards.
• Engineers tested the Frangibility of the dummy car's dashboard during crash testing. They ensured that the dashboard would break apart into smaller, safer pieces instead of creating large, sharp projectiles that could injure the driver or passengers in the event of a collision. This feature enhanced the safety of the occupants.
• The military uses frangible bullets for training exercises. These bullets break apart on impact with hard targets, reducing the risk of ricochet and collateral damage, making training areas safer for both the instructors and the surrounding environment. This is critical in complex training environments.
• When installing solar panels on the roof, installers assessed the Frangibility of the rooftop's underlying materials. If the materials were overly brittle, there was a high risk of damage during installation or in harsh weather. Material properties were chosen to reduce the risk of failure.