How Counterintuitive Behaviour is Making Stronger Alloys
Have you ever wondered why some materials are stronger than others? It turns out that the answer is counterintuitive.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Chicago has found that the strength of alloys increases when the constituent materials have different atomic sizes. This is opposite to what we would expect: that alloys with different atomic sizes would exhibit weaker bonds.
The team studied a variety of alloys and, using advanced simulation techniques, identified a property called “strain-gradient plasticity” as the mechanism behind this counterintuitive behavior. This property occurs when the atoms in the alloy are arranged in an alternating pattern of different sizes. This arrangement enables the alloy to better withstand deformation and ultimately results in a stronger material.
The findings of this study could have significant implications for the development of stronger materials in the future. By better understanding the strength of different alloys, engineers and scientists could create materials with improved strength and durability.
source: Phys.org