Polycrystalline materials

Polycrystalline materials are made up of many small crystals, or grains, that are randomly oriented. These grains form when a material solidifies from a liquid or during heat treatment. Each grain has its own unique structure, which influences the material's overall properties, such as strength, ductility, and resistance to heat. Common examples include metals like steel and aluminum, as well as ceramics. The interactions between the grains help determine how the material behaves under stress, making polycrystalline structures important in engineering and manufacturing applications.