Is glass the only material you can break with sound?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of using sound to break materials, specifically exploring whether a 3D printer can create plastic (such as PLA) that can be shattered by sound at levels under 110dBs. Participants agree that any sufficiently fragile resonant vessel, made from brittle materials like sulfur, salt crystals, or ice, can be broken using sound waves. The key requirement is that the material must have a high Q factor to allow sound oscillations to build up and cause fractures.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of sound wave properties and their interaction with materials
  • Knowledge of material brittleness and its relation to sound energy absorption
  • Familiarity with 3D printing technologies, specifically with PLA material
  • Basic concepts of resonance and Q factor in materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of brittle materials suitable for sound-induced fracturing
  • Explore the use of liquid helium in material processing to enhance brittleness
  • Investigate the principles of sound wave resonance and its applications in material science
  • Learn about advanced 3D printing techniques for creating specialized materials
USEFUL FOR

Biologists, material scientists, and engineers interested in the effects of sound on various materials, as well as 3D printing enthusiasts looking to experiment with sound-responsive materials.

TalkingBiology
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Would it be possible to use a 3D printer to print plastic (PLA for example) that could be smashed or warped by sound under 110dBs?

I'm a biologist, trying to recreate what happens to hair cells in the inner ear when you damage them.

Thanks.
 
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Hi TB. http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5725/red5e5etimes5e5e45e5e25.gif

I think any sufficiently fragile resonant vessel could be made to break using sound, if made of a suitable brittle material, e.g., sulfur, salt crystals, egg shell, ice, whatever. Every material will warp or distort by sound waves when formed into such a shape, you just need it to be brittle and not highly absorbant of sound energy so that oscillations can build up until the material at some point overstresses and fractures, i.e., you need it high Q.

As to your printer question, I can't help. Though it may be feasible to use liquid helium to freeze some soft material and turn it into something brittle.

Good luck with your experiments!
 
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