Töökõvenemisele

Töökõvenemisele refers to the phenomenon of work hardening, also known as strain hardening, a process by which a metal becomes stronger and harder when it is plastically deformed. This strengthening occurs because the deformation process introduces dislocations into the crystal structure of the metal. Dislocations are line defects in the crystal lattice. As the metal is deformed, the density of these dislocations increases. These dislocations then interact with each other, impeding their movement. The more dislocations there are and the more they become entangled, the more difficult it is for them to move, which in turn resists further plastic deformation. This resistance to deformation manifests as an increase in the metal's strength and hardness.

Work hardening is a significant property in many manufacturing processes. For instance, during operations like rolling, drawing, or forging, metals are intentionally deformed to achieve desired shapes and improved mechanical properties. The process is often carefully controlled to achieve a specific level of work hardening, balancing the increased strength with potential brittleness. Annealing, a heat treatment process, can be used to reverse work hardening by allowing the dislocations to rearrange and reduce their density, softening the metal and making it more ductile again. This cycle of work hardening and annealing is fundamental in metal fabrication.