Detect metal self-crack, forever not broken

Scientists at the MIT Research Institute have "accidentally" discovered the mechanism of self-cracks of metal when observing the crystals of nickel alloy rods are stretched.

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Initially, the team observed the phenomenon of a cracks in the nickel alloy itself when the group pulled out the alloy rod. This made the group extremely surprised and did not know the reason why.

After that, the group had to carry out experiments to test. ' We had to go back and check the metal itself. Indeed, the phenomenon itself is nothing wrong, ' said Professor of Science and Technology Michael Demkowicz, who studied with Guoqiang Xu.

In order to find the solution to the problem, the team set up a nickel-metal-alloy crystal microarchitecture on the computer. The model shows that the alloy is composed of small crystalline particles with good strength and strength.

When stretching the alloy bars, the hexagonal crystals are white in principle, which will be stretched. But the fact is not all particles are the same. This phenomenon is called 'defect' of the metal.

This 'defective' face in some metals is very strong and can reverse when there is a strong force acting on the metal. In other words, when the material is cracked, instead of expanding the crack, it can cure the crack.

Now researchers are planning to create a metal alloy capable of self-healing higher cracking for specific applications. A few months ago, a group of European scientists successfully designed a self-adhesive polymer.

Self-healing material will promise a lot of effects for life. Imagine bridges, furniture, or simply your frame or adhesive tape if it's self-contained, it can last forever.