The study of how the properties of matter arise from its structure at all scales and of how processing can be used to modify those properties (often in pursuit of a specific application).
Questions tagged [material-science]
1780 questions
75
votes
2 answers
What is the physics behind origami?
If we fold a paper and then apply pressure on the newly formed crease, it seems that the paper's surface gets a permanent deformation but what exactly has happened to the paper at a molecular scale?
tryst with freedom
- 7,940
27
votes
2 answers
Why is tape so hard to rip when it is not broken, but so easy once there is the tiniest cut in it?
Question says it all. Ripping a piece of tape along the width is tough, stretches the tape, messes it up, etc, but if you put the tiniest nick at the top, it rips without any problems. Why is that?
Cloudyman
- 1,155
20
votes
1 answer
Can wet paper completely regain its strength after drying?
Wetting a piece of course makes the paper much more prone to tearing because of the internal hydrogen bonds between the celluose fibers breaking, but can the same strength be restored once the paper dries?
I've noticed that although paper buckles…
falsovuoto
- 389
12
votes
7 answers
Why does grinding steel create sparks but aluminium doesn't?
Grinding steel produces sparks. Grinding aluminium does not. Why?
I found this article about why grinding steel produces sparks but would like to confirm if it is true.
I would also like to know why does it behave so on a molecular level if anyone…
Marek Andreansky
- 221
11
votes
5 answers
Why will clay, when heated to high temperatures, harden and become waterproof?
I have a question
Why will clay, when heated to high temperatures, harden and become waterproof?
vietean
- 213
10
votes
3 answers
Why are porcelain teeth strong?
Generally, replacement porcelain teeth (like those used for dental implants) are very strong; double the hardness of enamel (7 as opposed to 5 on the Mohs scale):
However we all know how easily a porcelain vase breaks:
Imagine if the replacement…
Jez
- 605
10
votes
4 answers
Why does foam dull knives?
I have recently taken up prop making and just started my first foam-built costume from a video game. These kinds of costume armour builds are often built out of the various foam floor mats you can buy in say Home Depot or BJ's or Five Below for…
eidylon
- 451
9
votes
4 answers
Does glass get stronger the longer its under water?
I was reading the internets and I saw an image of of random facts. Yes, I know, its a humor site, but based on the image item #23 I have some questions.
Does glass really get stronger the longer its submerged? If so, why and whats the upper limit of…
Justin808
- 249
6
votes
2 answers
Vibration as a means of passing through solid objects?
First of all, I think this is a weird question but I still want to know whether it's possible. There is a character in a cartoon network series who is really really fast. Sometimes he lets his own body vibrate really hard so he can go through for…
Badshah
- 301
6
votes
1 answer
Why steel can be blunted by ice?
As an ice skater I cannot understand why I need to sharpen my blade very often since the hardness of steel is higher than that of ice for sure. Since steel is much harder than ice, how can ice change the shape of steel?
Jason
- 132
6
votes
2 answers
Penetration of armor plate
Is there a simple mathematical expression for the stopping power of a given thickness of armor, given the thickness of armor plate, the radius of a cannon ball, the density of the cannonball and the armor, the tensile strength and/or toughness of…
Donald
- 609
5
votes
0 answers
How to loosen a nylon knot gently
I have a very tight knot between two nylon straps which I would like to untie. It's too tight to undo by hand, and I would prefer not to use tweezers or similar sharp metal objects to loosen it, because I don't want to damage the integrity of the…
Yly
- 3,654
5
votes
1 answer
How does nitinol "remember" it's shape?
Nitinol is a metal that will snap back into the shape it was forged in if warmed after being messed with. I am kind of lost as to how this is possible, in particular what it even means for nitinol to remember it's shape.
Will
- 135
4
votes
1 answer
Far future: how long will engraved stainless steel tablets last? And why?
Last night I read this fascinating Wikipedia article, "Timeline of the Far Future":
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_far_future
Some human creations have very long but ultimately finite lives. For example:
The Pioneer 10 Plaque will…
raindog308
- 141
4
votes
1 answer
Heat Expansion of an Aluminium Ring with hole
I have a question of how aluminium will behave when heated ( I made a drawing below to explain the question)
We have a ring of aluminium and a hole (green in drawing), if we heat the ring it will expand.
The outer diameter will expand in the…
MotorMan
- 43