Work hardening
Strengthening a material through plastic deformation / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Work hardening, also known as strain hardening, is the strengthening of a metal or polymer by plastic deformation. Work hardening may be desirable, undesirable, or inconsequential, depending on the context.
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This strengthening occurs because of dislocation movements and dislocation generation within the crystal structure of the material.[1] Many non-brittle metals with a reasonably high melting point as well as several polymers can be strengthened in this fashion.[2] Alloys not amenable to heat treatment, including low-carbon steel, are often work-hardened. Some materials cannot be work-hardened at low temperatures, such as indium,[3] however others can be strengthened only via work hardening, such as pure copper and aluminum.[4]