What is the ability of a material to retain its deformed shape when a deforming force is removed called?

The ability of a material to retain its deformed shape when a deforming force is removed is known as plasticity. Plasticity describes the behavior of materials that undergo permanent deformation. When a force is applied to a plastic material, it can change shape, and even after the force is removed, it will not return to its original shape. This characteristic is crucial in manufacturing and material sciences, as it allows materials to be shaped and formed into desired configurations without the risk of returning to their initial states.

Elasticity, while a related concept, refers to a different phenomenon. Elastic materials can return to their original shape once the deforming force is removed, but plastic materials do not exhibit this behavior. Ductility is associated with a material's ability to be drawn into a wire or stretched without breaking, which is also distinct from the concept of retaining a deformed shape. Toughness refers to the ability of a material to absorb energy and plastically deform without fracturing, but it does not directly relate to how the material behaves after the removal of the deforming force.