The Unexpected Mechanism of Self-Repairing Metals Discovered: Future of Engineering

Photo Source - Google

In a breakthrough observation, scientists from Sandia National Laboratories and Texas A&M University have unearthed a wonder at the nanoscale level - the metal healing its fatigue damage.

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The team employed a unique transmission electron microscope method to induce such fatigue damage by pulling the platinum strip 200 times every second.

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To their awe, the induced crack started to self-repair after about 40 minutes of observation.

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One speculative explanation points towards cold welding - a process wherein metal surfaces stick together when brought close enough for atomic entanglement.

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Most cold welding processes require vacuum conditions to avoid air and other contaminants that would otherwise interfere.

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Texas A&M materials researcher Michael Demkowicz had proposed a theory in 2013, suggesting that metals' crystalline structures could shift under stress, effectuating a healing process.

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The ability of metals to repair themselves could drastically alter the maintenance and longevity of everything from engines to computer hardware.

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The self-healing property of metals brings an astonishing possibility to the forefront of materials science.

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