What specific property characterizes a malleable metal?

A malleable metal is specifically characterized by its ability to be shaped into thin sheets. This property, known as malleability, allows metals to deform under compressive stress, which is critical in many applications where metals are required to be formed into various shapes without breaking.

The ability to create thin sheets from malleable metals is essential in industries such as manufacturing and construction, where materials need to be utilized in various forms for practical use, such as in roofing, packaging, and other structural components. Metals like gold, silver, and aluminum are commonly noted for their malleability.

While conducting electricity well is an important property of many metals, it does not specifically relate to malleability. Similarly, being able to break easily under pressure would indicate a lack of malleability rather than its presence. The ability to be easily welded is more associated with the metal's ductility and the metallurgical properties rather than its malleability. Thus, the defining characteristic that identifies a malleable metal is its capacity to be shaped into thin sheets.