What describes the formation of fine cracks on the surface of materials?

Crazing refers specifically to the formation of fine cracks on the surface of materials, often observed in polymers and glass. This phenomenon occurs due to factors such as stress or environmental exposure, which lead to localized changes in the material structure. Crazing typically appears as a network of tiny cracks that may not penetrate deeply but can weaken the material and reduce its aesthetic and functional properties.

In contrast, cracking generally describes deeper fractures that can compromise the integrity of a material, while delamination refers to layers within a composite material separating from each other, and deformation denotes the overall change in shape of a material under stress. All these terms are related to the failure mechanisms of materials, but crazing specifically captures the essence of superficial cracking, making it the most accurate choice in this context.