npj Computational Materials (Apr 2017)

Facile measurement of single-crystal elastic constants from polycrystalline samples

  • Xinpeng Du,
  • Ji-Cheng Zhao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41524-017-0019-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Mechanical properties: a simpler method for determining elasticity A method for measuring the elastic properties of a material even with a less than perfect sample is demonstrated by scientists in the USA. Xinpeng Du and Ji-Cheng (J.C.) Zhao from The Ohio State University develop a simple experimental technique for obtaining elastic constants from polycrystalline samples. A material’s elasticity or stiffness properties are mathematically summarized by a series of parameters known as its elastic constants. Most experimental techniques for measuring these elastic constants require samples that are single-crystals. But these can be time consuming to produce or perhaps even impossible. Instead, Du and Zhao measure the velocity of so-called surface acoustic waves produced on a polycrystalline sample using pulses of laser light. They then develop a robust mathematical framework that can determine elastic constants based on material density and the measured velocities.