Things That Are Brittle

Welcome to our list of things that are brittle!

Brittle textures refer to materials or surfaces that break or shatter easily under pressure or force. This texture is characterized by a lack of flexibility or pliability, often leading to a crisp or fragile feel. Brittle materials, such as certain types of glass, dry leaves, or hard candies, tend to snap or crumble rather than bend or stretch.

Here’s a visual list of things that are brittle, with a categorised descriptive list below:

Food

Brittle foods are characterized by their hard yet easily breakable nature, often resulting in a satisfying crunch when eaten. Here’s a list of foods known for their brittle texture:

• Toffee: A hard candy made by caramelizing sugar or molasses with butter.
• Brittle Peanut Candy: A classic confection made from sugar and peanuts.
• Hard Tack Biscuits: A simple, durable, and very hard biscuit made from flour, water, and sometimes salt.
• Pretzels: Especially the hard, baked variety, which are known for their crunchy and brittle texture.
• Rusks: Hard, dry biscuits or twice-baked bread, often eaten with tea or coffee.
• Glass Candy (Hard Candy): Made from sugar syrup that hardens into a glass-like consistency.
• Almond Roca: A type of candy consisting of almonds and caramelized sugar, coated in chocolate.
• Biscotti: Italian almond biscuits that are twice-baked, crunchy, and brittle.
• Caramel Brittle: Made by hardening caramelized sugar into thin sheets.
• Dry Crackers: Such as saltines or water crackers, known for their brittle crunch.
• Praline: A form of confection containing nuts and sugar syrup.
• Sesame Snaps: Thin, brittle bars made from sesame seeds and honey.
• Nougat: Especially the harder varieties, which have a brittle, chewy texture.
• Crystallized Ginger: Ginger that’s been cooked in sugar syrup and then coated with crystallized sugar.
• Peppermint Bark: A brittle sheet of candy made with layers of chocolate and peppermint.
• Turron: A Spanish nougat made from almonds and honey, often quite hard and brittle.
• Sugar Glass: Used in baking and movie production, it mimics glass but is edible and brittle.
• Candy Canes: Hard candy sticks, typically peppermint-flavored, that snap easily.
• Lavash Bread (when dried): This Middle Eastern flatbread becomes brittle when it’s baked to crispness.
• Popped Rice Cakes: These can have a light, airy, yet brittle texture.
• Matzo (Matzah): Unleavened bread that’s crispy and brittle.
• Kavala Almond Cookies: A Greek biscuit that’s known for its hard, brittle texture.
• Meringue: Egg whites and sugar whipped and baked to form a crisp, brittle treat.
• Papadum: A thin, crisp, round flatbread from India, which is brittle when fried or grilled.
• Gingersnap Cookies: These cookies have a distinct snap due to their brittle texture.
• Sukhariki: Russian rye croutons, known for their hard and brittle texture.
• Paillettes Feuilletine: Thin, brittle flakes of caramelized crepes used in pastry.
• Croccante: An Italian almond brittle; thin and hard.
• Krokant: A German brittle typically made with nuts and caramelized sugar.
• Flapjack (UK Version): When overbaked, this oat bar becomes very hard and brittle.

Plants

Brittleness in plants is often observed in their dried forms, such as twigs, leaves, and certain flowers, where the loss of moisture leads to a fragile and easily breakable structure. Some plants also naturally exhibit a brittle texture due to their particular physical characteristics. Here’s a list of plants and plant parts known for their brittle nature:

• Dried Leaves: Like those from deciduous trees in autumn, they become brittle as they lose moisture.
• Deadwood: Branches and twigs that have died and dried out tend to be brittle.
• Pampas Grass: When dried, the stems and plumes become quite brittle.
• Bamboo: Dry bamboo is notably hard and brittle, often used in construction due to its breakability along the grain.
• Cattails: The dried seed heads of cattails are brittle and easily disperse their seeds.
• Dried Lavender: The stems and flowers of lavender become brittle when dried.
• Straw: Dried stalks of grain plants like wheat and barley are brittle and often used in crafting or as animal bedding.
• Dried Eucalyptus: Commonly used in floral arrangements, it becomes brittle when dried.
• Balsa Wood: Known for being lightweight and brittle, it’s often used in model making.
• Dried Pine Needles: They lose their flexibility and become brittle over time.
• Dried Reed Grass: Often used in basket weaving, it’s brittle when dry.
• Brittlebush: A desert plant known for its brittle stems and leaves.
• Hay: Dried grasses used for animal feed are brittle to the touch.
• Dried Corn Stalks: After harvest, the stalks become dry and brittle.
• Potpourri Ingredients: Many plants used in potpourri, such as dried roses and hibiscus, are brittle.
• Dried Bracken Ferns: When dried, these ferns become very brittle.
• Dried Sea Holly: The stems and flowers are brittle and are often used in dried floral arrangements.
• Dried Wheat Stalks: Used in decorations and crafts, they are brittle and snap easily.
• Dried Sage: Commonly used in cooking and smudging, the leaves are brittle when dried.
• Dried Thistle: The stems and flower heads become brittle once they dry out.
• Dried Lotus Pods: Often used in floral arrangements, they are hard and brittle when dried.
• Dried Hydrangeas: The blooms turn brittle and are popular in dried flower arrangements.
• Dried Sunflowers: After seeds are harvested, the remaining stalks and heads are brittle.
• Dried Sedges: Used in weaving and crafts, they become brittle once dried.
• Dead Sea Lavender: A coastal plant that becomes brittle and woody as it matures.
• Dried Peony Petals: When dried, the petals become fragile and easily breakable.
• Dried Bulrushes: Used in basket weaving and crafts, they are brittle when dry.
• Dried Ornamental Grasses: Used in landscaping and floral arrangements, they become brittle with age.
• Dried Oak Leaves: Often used in autumn decorations, they become brittle once they dry out.
• Dried Chrysanthemums: Popular in dried floral arrangements, they are brittle and delicate when dried.

Everyday Objects

Brittleness in everyday objects refers to materials or items that are hard yet likely to break or shatter easily under force or pressure. This characteristic can be due to the material composition, design, or wear and tear. Here’s a list of common everyday objects that are known for their brittle nature:

• Glassware: Items like drinking glasses and vases are hard but can easily shatter upon impact.
• Ceramic Plates and Mugs: Made from fired clay, they are prone to cracking and breaking if dropped.
• Porcelain Figurines: Known for their delicate and brittle nature, requiring careful handling.
• Dry Pasta: Before cooking, pasta is hard and brittle, easily snapping into pieces.
• Chalk: Used for writing on chalkboards, it easily breaks into smaller pieces.
• Old Plastic Items: Over time, plastic can become brittle and crack, especially if exposed to sunlight or extreme temperatures.
• Ice Cubes: Solid but will shatter or break if struck.
• Eggshells: The shells of eggs are brittle and easily cracked.
• Brittle Nails: Human fingernails can become brittle due to various health issues or environmental factors.
• Crisp Cookies: Such as ginger snaps or biscotti, known for their hard and brittle texture.
• Hard Candies: Like peppermints or lollipops, they can shatter if bitten with force.
• Saltine Crackers: These are known for their crisp, brittle texture.
• Unripe Fruit: Certain fruits, like unripe pears or plums, can feel hard and brittle.
• Frozen Foods: When frozen solid, many foods like vegetables and meats become brittle.
• Charcoal Briquettes: Used for grilling, they are brittle and can break apart easily.
• Thin Glass Bulbs: Such as those in older style Christmas lights, are easily breakable.
• Pottery: Especially when thin-walled, it can be quite brittle.
• Stale Bread: Becomes hard and brittle, losing its moisture.
• Crisp Leafy Vegetables: Like dried kale or freeze-dried lettuce, which are brittle to the touch.
• Corn Chips: Known for their crispiness, they can break easily under pressure.
• Natural Stone Tiles: Certain types, like slate, can be brittle and prone to chipping.
• Thin Ice Over Puddles: Breaks easily underfoot.
• Old Rubber Bands: Lose their elasticity over time and become brittle.
• Hard Taco Shells: Tend to shatter or break apart when bitten.
• Sugarcane Sticks: Hard and brittle, especially when dry.
• Baked Clay Objects: Like terracotta pots, which can crack or break if dropped.
• Rice Cakes: Known for their light, brittle texture.
• Dry Dog Treats: Some are very hard and can snap easily.
• Burnt Toast: Becomes hard and brittle when overly toasted.
• Styrofoam: Can break into pieces under pressure.
• Pretzel Rods: Hard and can snap under pressure.
• Biscuits: Particularly the hard-baked variety.
• Old CDs or DVDs: Can crack or shatter if bent.
• Glass Christmas Ornaments: Delicate and easily broken.
• Candy Canes: Brittle and can snap easily.
• Crusty Bread Rolls: The crust can be quite hard and brittle.
• Old Paint on Surfaces: Can become brittle and flake off over time.
• Dry Earth or Soil: In drought conditions, the top layer can be hard and brittle.
• Dehydrated Fruits: Such as dried apple slices, can be quite brittle.
• Overcooked Vegetables: Like carrots or beans, can become hard and brittle.
• Bones in Cut Meat: Can be brittle, especially in smaller cuts of meat.
• Dried Out Leather: When not properly conditioned, leather can become brittle and crack.
• Rice Krispies Treats: Have a brittle, crunchy texture.
• Pistachio Shells: Hard and brittle, easily cracking open.
• Crème Brûlée Top: The caramelized sugar top is hard and brittle.
• Old Wood: Especially when dry, it can become brittle and prone to breaking.
• Granola Bars: Some varieties are hard and can snap easily.
• Crispy Fried Chicken Skin: Known for its brittle, crunchy texture.
• Nut Shells: Like walnut or pecan shells, are hard and breakable.
• Dried Seaweed Snacks: Thin and brittle to the touch.
• Old Records (Vinyl): Can become brittle and prone to cracking.
• Toffee or Brittle Candy: Breaks into hard, sharp pieces.
• Dried Out Seals or Gaskets: In machinery or appliances, they can become hard and lose flexibility.
• Dry, Dead Wood: Found in forests, it snaps easily due to its brittleness.

Materials

Brittle materials are characterized by their tendency to fracture or break under minimal deformation or pressure, lacking the ability to absorb energy or deform significantly before breaking. Here’s a list of materials known for their brittle nature:

• Cast Iron: While strong, it is brittle and can crack under impact or if dropped.
• Concrete: High compressive strength but low tensile strength, leading to brittleness.
• Hardened Steel: Certain types of heat-treated or high-carbon steel can be very hard and brittle.
• Granite: A hard, crystalline rock that can break under pressure.
• Dry Clay: When devoid of moisture, clay becomes hard and brittle.
• Obsidian: A natural volcanic glass known for its brittleness.
• Brittle Plastic: Some plastics, like polystyrene or PVC, can become brittle, especially with age or exposure to sunlight.
• Ice: Particularly at lower temperatures, ice is hard and can fracture easily.
• Slate: A fine-grained rock that is hard and prone to splitting.
• Enamel: A brittle material used as a coating on metal or glass.
• Graphite: Used in pencils, it is soft but breaks easily.
• Salt Crystals: Can shatter or break along crystal planes.
• Bone (dry): When devoid of moisture, bones become brittle.
• Alumina (Aluminum Oxide): Used in ceramics, it’s hard but brittle.
• Borosilicate Glass: Known for its resistance to thermal shock but still brittle.
• Tungsten Carbide: Extremely hard and used in cutting tools, but it can be brittle.
• Pyrex: Used in cookware; it is less likely to shatter but still brittle.
• Marble: A metamorphic rock that can crack and break under stress.
• Sapphire Crystal: Used in high-end watch faces, it’s very hard but can be brittle.
• Quartz: A hard mineral that can break or chip easily.
• Terracotta: When unglazed, it is porous and brittle.
• Dried Mud or Silt: Hardens and cracks, showing brittleness.
• Flint: Known for its ability to fracture into sharp pieces.
• Silicon: Used in semiconductor electronics, it is brittle.
• Epoxy Resins: Once cured, they can be very hard but brittle.
• Fiberglass: The glass fibers are strong yet brittle.
• Porcelain Enamel: Used for coating kitchenware, it can chip or crack.
• Mica: A mineral that splits into thin, brittle sheets.
• Amber: Fossilized tree resin known for its brittle nature.
• Chalk: Composed of limestone, it is soft and breaks easily.
• Asphalt (when cold): Becomes hard and brittle at lower temperatures.
• Cement Mortar: Hard and brittle, prone to cracking without proper reinforcement.
• Gypsum: Used in drywall, it’s brittle and can crumble.
• Acrylic Glass (Plexiglass): Prone to cracking or breaking if drilled or cut improperly.
• Coal: A brittle fossil fuel, it breaks easily into smaller pieces.
• Plaster of Paris: Once set, it becomes a hard, brittle material.
• Bakelite: An early plastic, known for its brittleness.
• Carbon Fiber (when not in a composite): Extremely strong yet brittle on its own.
• Candy Glass (Sugar Glass): Made from sugar, brittle and used as a stunt prop.
• Seashells: Composed of calcium carbonate, they can be brittle and break easily.
• Mother of Pearl: Brittle and used as an inlay material.
• Corian (when thin): A solid surface material that can be brittle in thinner sheets.
• Zinc: A metal that is brittle at room temperature.

We hope this list of brittle things was useful and that you found what you needed!

We did our best to cover all of the varied meanings of “brittle” with our visual gallery of brittle things and descriptive list. But if you feel there’s something we missed, please feel free to let us know and leave a comment.

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