slip systems

Slip systems are the specific ways in which crystalline materials deform under stress. They combine a slip plane, the flat surface within the crystal where atoms slide past each other, and a slip direction, the line along which atoms move. When a material is stressed, these slip systems are activated, allowing layers of atoms to shift and the material to deform plastically. Different materials have distinct slip systems based on their crystal structure, influencing their strength, ductility, and how they bend or break. Understanding slip systems helps in predicting and controlling how materials respond to forces.