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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 process by which a material's load-bearing capacity (strength) increases during plastic (permanent) deformation. This characteristic is what sets ductile materials apart from brittle materials.[1] Work hardening may be desirable, undesirable, or inconsequential, depending on the application.
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This strengthening occurs because of dislocation movements and dislocation generation within the crystal structure of the material.[2] Many non-brittle metals with a reasonably high melting point as well as several polymers can be strengthened in this fashion.[3] 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,[4] however others can be strengthened only via work hardening, such as pure copper and aluminum.[5]