String Breakage (Reply)

[Ron Nossaman]

At 01:47 PM 1/20/99 -0600, you wrote:
>I think it work hardens because when its bent you are exceeding the
>elastic limit of the metal. (Bending it beyond where it will return to
>its orginal shape.) This compounds as you continue to bend as in trying
>to break a coat hangar. You are correct temperature is not a factor in
>this condition.  

Well, sure, you exceed the elastic limit, or it wouldn't stay bent. Now why
does that harden it. It's a crystal deformation thing, I assume, but what's
the mechanism?

 Ron