plastic deformation
Irreversible shape change
Plastic deformation is permanent change in a material's shape caused by stress beyond its elastic limit.
Unlike elastic deformation, where a material springs back to its original form, plastic deformation persists after the force is removed: The dented fender showed plastic deformation from the impact.
The term appears in engineering, materials science, and geology, where it describes how metals bend, how rocks flow under pressure, or why a paperclip stays bent.
Forced out of position
- slipMinor error or misstep
- twinningForming identical pairs
- creepStealthy, slow movement
- neckingKissing and caressing amorously
recrystallization · recovery · yielding · flow · climb
Excessive stretching force
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- shearLateral sliding force
- torsionRotational strain force
- hardeningBecoming less soft
toughness · ductility · fracture · load · hysteresis · anisotropy · fatigue
Shaping heated metal; faking documents
- rollingTurning over repeatedly
- extrusionPushing through a die
- drawingMarks forming a picture
- bendingCurving from straight
hammering · annealing · pressing · stamping · swaging · coining · spinning · upsetting
Decorative architectural edging
- shapingGiving something its form
- thermoformingShaping softened plastic sheets
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
- embossingRaising designs from surfaces
Able to deform permanently
- malleableCapable of being shaped
- workableAble to be implemented
- formableAble to be molded
- polycrystallineHaving many crystal grains
amorphous · crystalline · polyethylene · polycarbonate · aluminum · copper · steel · gold
dislocation
Forced out of position
necking · recrystallization · recovery · yielding · flow · climb
strain
Excessive stretching force
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- shearLateral sliding force
- torsionRotational strain force
hardening · toughness · ductility · fracture · load · hysteresis · anisotropy · fatigue
forging
Shaping heated metal; faking documents
bending · hammering · annealing · pressing · stamping · swaging · coining · spinning · upsetting · piercing
molding
Decorative architectural edging
- shapingGiving something its form
- thermoformingShaping softened plastic sheets
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
ductile
Able to deform permanently
polycrystalline · amorphous · crystalline · polyethylene · polycarbonate · aluminum · copper · steel · gold · lead
plastic, deformed, deform, deformation, deforming, deformable, plasticizer, plasticize, thermoplastic