What is an important characteristic of metals with high impact strength?

Metals with high impact strength are specifically characterized by their ability to withstand sudden shocks without fracturing. This attribute is crucial in applications where metals are subjected to rapid forces or impacts, making them ideal for use in construction and manufacturing environments where safety and durability are paramount. Such metals can absorb and dissipate energy effectively, preventing failure when exposed to stresses that may otherwise cause brittle materials to crack or shatter.

The other characteristics listed do not align with high impact strength. For example, being brittle (the first option) typically signifies a material that is more likely to break under stress, lacking the resilience needed to absorb sudden impacts. Density, in the third option, does not directly correlate with a metal's ability to withstand impact; materials can be lightweight yet still possess high impact strength. Lastly, thermal conductivity (the fourth option) relates more to how well a material can conduct heat rather than its strength or ability to endure impacts.