#LIQUID METAL CRACK#

Nucleation of dislocations moves under stress, piling-up and work hardens the solid. This can cause failure of the material when cracks are nucleated and grow under stress.ĭuctile failure model: This model predicted that the absorption of liquid metal could lead to weak atomic bonds. Gordon model: This model was postulated based on the diffusion-penetration of the liquid metal atoms.

#LIQUID METAL CRACK#

When subjected to stress, the process can lead to nucleation of the crack and propagation.īrittle fracture theory: This theory proposes that the liquid metal atom absorption at the crack tip tends to propagate the crack as well as weakening the inter-atomic bond.

There are many theories that try to explain liquid metal embrittlement, with the major ones being:ĭissolution-diffusion model: This model states that the absorption of the liquid metal induces an inward diffusion and dissolution. Note that metal combinations that form inter-metallic compounds don't cause liquid metal embrittlement. The oxide layer on the metal surface prevents good contact between the two metals, thus stopping liquid metal embrittlement. Excess solubilities result in sharp crack propagation difficulties, although wetting of the solid surfaces is not prevented. There are limited mutual solubilities for the metals to cause liquid metal embrittlement. A liquid metal network inside a polymer matrix Gallium-based liquid metals (GaLMs) are useful for creating complex circuits inside stretchable polymers because of their low melting point, which allows them to be printed using a nozzle, although several practical challenges remain. Reduction in fracture strain is temperature dependent, thus the test temperature is decreased. Liquid metal embrittlement is characterized by the decrease in true fracture stress, threshold stress intensity or strain to fracture when it's tested in liquid metals. Corrosionpedia Explains Liquid Metal Embrittlement (LME)