If something, especially metal is s_ _ _ _ _ _ , it breaks into two pieces usually because of a sideways force.

The word you are looking for is "shattered." When a metal or any material is described as shattered, it indicates that it has broken apart into multiple pieces due to an external force, often applied sideways or in an unexpected manner. This term conveys the violent nature of the breakage and implies that the integrity of the material has been compromised to the point where it can no longer function as a single cohesive unit. Shattering can be a result of factors such as brittleness in the material, the magnitude of the force applied, or pre-existing flaws in the metal. In many engineering contexts, understanding the shattering behavior of materials is critical, particularly for the selection of materials that can withstand operational stresses without failing suddenly.