Plastic deformation is a non-reversible process caused by stress on metal or plastic, resulting in permanent changes. It can be used intentionally to mold objects through heat or pressure, but must be controlled to avoid cracking. It was historically used in handcrafted products and is still used in the creation of various goods today.
Plastic deformation is a process in which enough stress is placed on the metal or plastic to cause the object to change its size or shape in a non-reversible way. In other words, the changes are permanent; even when the stress is removed, the material will not return to its original shape. Sometimes referred to simply as plasticity, this type of deformation can be conducted under controlled circumstances and not intentionally.
Both the deformation of plastics and the deformation of metals lead to changes in the composition of the material itself. For example, metals that undergo this plastic deformation process experience a condition known as dislocation. As a stress of some sort is exerted on the metal, the material reaches a point known as its yield strength. When this point is reached, the pattern of the molecules that make up the metal begins to change. The end result is that the molecules realign themselves in a pattern that is shaped by the external stress placed on the object.
There are several ways to intentionally use plastic deformation in the creation of various types of goods. Heat is often used to mold objects into the desired shape. As the metal cools, the shape is held and becomes permanent. Using pressure can also help mold both plastic and metal into the desired shape.
The rate at which plasticity occurs is also important. In situations where stress causes rapid changes, there is a possibility that the material may not be able to adjust to the pressure and may crack. For this reason, the plastic deformation used in the manufacture of goods involves careful control of heat and pressure, allowing the structure of the material to adapt to new conditions and bend incrementally until it reaches the desired shape.
In the past, the concept of plastic deformation was at the heart of many handcrafted products. This was true with horseshoes, for example. The metal was forged at particular temperatures by an expert blacksmith, making the meal somewhat malleable. Sledgehammers and other tools could then be used to shape the metal while it was still hot. Once the smith had worked the metal into the desired shape and contour, it would be removed from the forge and allowed to cool, effectively setting the shape permanently.
Today, plastic deformation can be used in the creation of all types of goods constructed with metal or plastic. This includes metal sculptures, wood stove accessories, and some forms of wall art made with a combination of metals such as tin and brass. Arts and crafts enthusiasts sometimes use heat or pressure to create objects using the principle of plasticity, often using methods that were routinely used in general before the dawn of mass production of goods.
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