Elastic deformation is reversible with a release of the driving force, plastic deformation isn't. Typical metals will have an elastic zone, where they act like

Elastic deformation is reversible with a release of the driving force, plastic deformation isn't. Typical metals will have an elastic zone, where they act like springs, and a plastic zone, where they don't, and then they fracture. Brittle materials have a relatively small plastic zone, ductile materials will have a large one.