What Causes Variation in Ductility of Pure Metals?

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Ductility in pure metals varies significantly due to factors such as atomic structure, dislocation density, and the presence of defects. The discussion highlights that while dislocation density is crucial, the absence of impurities and defects also plays a vital role in determining ductility. Metals like copper exhibit high ductility, contrary to misconceptions about their properties. The conversation seeks to understand the metallurgical differences between pure metals, particularly comparing aluminum and copper. Overall, a deeper exploration of atomic-level interactions and structural characteristics is necessary to fully grasp the variations in ductility among pure metals.
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What makes some pure metals more ductile than other pure metals?

I know ductility is defined as the ability of a material to be drawn into a wire, and one measurement of it is the percentage elongation from a tensile stress test. But does anyone know what is going on at an atomic level when the metal is being plastically deformed that makes some metals more ductile than others?

Right now I think it might be the density of dislocations or other defects, but surely that can't account for such large variations in behaviours?


Any help would be appreciated.

EDIT: I removed the parentheses, but I'm sure I read somewhere that Aluminium is more...
and by pure metals I mean not alloys.
 
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eeeeediot said:
What makes some pure metals (like Aluminium) more ductile than other pure metals (like Copper)?
This isn't even true! Copper is among the most ductile metals there is (55% strain at yield).

If you erase all the text inside parentheses and leave the question reading "what makes some pure metals more ductile than others?" it would be a lot more sensible.

Dislocation density is definitely important, but I think the question is referring to pure metals in the sense of both lack of impurities as well as lack of defects. What's the primary difference between pure Fe and pure Cu, from a metallurgical point of view?
 
Anyone got any ideas or know any websites that have detailed information about this subject?
 
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