What characteristic describes an insulating material that crumbles and can become airborne?

The characteristic that describes an insulating material that crumbles and can become airborne is friability. This term refers to the tendency of a material to break down easily into smaller particles or dust. When an insulating material is friable, it may release particles into the air when disturbed, representing a potential health hazard, especially if those particles contains harmful substances like asbestos.

In contrast, density refers to the mass of a material relative to its volume, stability indicates how well a material maintains its original properties over time, and durability refers to the material's ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage. These characteristics do not specifically address the crumbling or airborne nature of the material, which is fundamentally captured by the concept of friability.