Metals

Crystal structure

The arrangement of atoms in a crystalline solid.

Grain boundaries

Interfaces where crystals of different orientations meet in a solid.

Orbital

A region of space around an atom's nucleus where an electron is likely to be found.

Alkali Metals

Group of metals that are highly reactive, have one valence electron, and lower densities than other metals.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses one or more electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains one or more electrons.

Metallic bonds

Bonds formed by the attraction between positively charged metal ions and the electrons that move freely around them.

BCC crystal structure

Body Centered Cubic structure, typically harder and less malleable than close-packed structures.

FCC crystal structure

Face Centered Cubic structure with an atomic packing factor of 0.74.

HCP crystal structure

Hexagonal Close-Packed structure, also with an atomic packing factor of 0.74.

Dislocation

A defect in the crystal structure where there is an irregularity within the arrangement of atoms.

Elastic deformation

Deformation that is reversible when the applied stress is removed.

Plastic deformation

Permanent deformation that occurs when stress exceeds a material's yield strength.

Self-interstitial

An atom that occupies a void or interstitial site in a crystal lattice.

Vacancy

A point defect in a crystal structure where an atom is missing.

Strain hardening

Increase in strength and toughness of a metal by plastic deformation.

Annealing process

A heat treatment process used to restore the properties of a material after cold-working, through recovery and recrystallization.

Slip systems

The crystallographic directions along which dislocations move, affecting how materials deform.