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Re:A type of semi-transparent polymer that can be mended at ... by wz1000 on Thursday December 28, 2017 @07:33AM (#16021675)
What is the distinction between amorphous and non-crystalline? Also, for instance, aren't all solid metals amorphous non crystalline solids?
Re:A type of semi-transparent polymer that can be mended at ... by dogma1138 on Thursday December 28, 2017 @08:19AM (#16021827)
Someone has already answered, most metals are crystalline, the metallic alloys that aren't are actually called metallic glass, there aren't many of them and they were first produced in the 50's or 60's.

But for all intents and purposes nearly all commonly used metals and alloys are crystalline, metallography is pretty much the study of the different types of crystalline structures that any given metal or alloy can have.

Each metal can also have multiple crystalline structures this is how you give different properties to the same metal or alloy, this most usually achieved through heat treating, quenching and tempering, or alternatively metals that cannot be heat treated are often work hardened or "cold formed".

Re:A type of semi-transparent polymer that can be mended at ... by Carioca on Thursday December 28, 2017 @08:13AM (#16021803)