strain hardening

Strain hardening, also known as work hardening, is a process where a material becomes stronger and more resistant to deformation as it is deformed. When a material like metal is bent, stretched, or compressed, its internal structure changes, creating more dislocations or defects. These defects make further deformation more difficult, increasing the material's strength and hardness. Essentially, the material "hardens" with use, which enables it to withstand greater forces but also makes it less ductile or more brittle. This principle is widely used in manufacturing to improve the strength of metal components through plastic deformation.