Soft Metal

Hardness

In materials science, hardness is a measure of the resistance to localized plastic deformation, such as an indentation or a scratch (linear), induced mechanically either by pressing or abrasion. In general, different materials differ in their hardness; for example hard metals such as titanium and beryllium are harder than soft metals such as sodium and metallic tin, or wood and common plastics. Macroscopic hardness is generally characterized by strong intermolecular bonds, but the behavior of solid materials under force is complex; therefore, hardness can be measured in different ways, such as scratch hardness, indentation hardness, and rebound hardness. Hardness is dependent on ductility, elastic stiffness, plasticity, strain, strength, toughness, viscoelasticity, and viscosity. Common examples of hard matter are ceramics, concrete, certain metals, and superhard materials, which can be contrasted with soft matter.

Ductility

Ductility is the ability of a material to sustain significant plastic deformation before fracture when undergoing tension, i.e. when the relevant elastic modulus is Young's; the equivalent for deforming under bulk compression, i.e. when using the bulk modulus, is malleability. Historically, materials were considered malleable if they were amenable to forming by hammering or rolling. Lead is an example of a material which is substantially more malleable than ductile. Plastic deformation is the permanent distortion of a material under applied stress, as opposed to elastic deformation, which is reversible upon removing the stress. Ductility is a critical mechanical performance indicator, particularly in applications that require materials to bend, stretch, or deform in other ways without breaking. The extent of ductility can be quantitatively assessed using the percent elongation at break, given by the equation:

Metal

A metal is a material that, when polished or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. These properties are all associated with having electrons available at the Fermi level, as opposed to nonmetallic materials which do not. Metals are typically ductile and malleable.

soft

Adjective

1. Easily giving way under pressure.
2. Smooth and flexible; not rough, rugged, or harsh.

Interjection

1. Be quiet; hold; stop; not so fast.

metal

Noun

1. Chemical elements or alloys, their ores, and the mines where their ores come from.

Adjective

1. Characterized by strong drum-beats and distorted guitars. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
2. Having the emotional or social characteristics associated with metal music; brash, bold, frank, unyielding, etc.