Changing crystal structures:Technological applications

Metal parts undergo thermal treatments in order to rearrange strained areas, which arise as a consequence of the manufacturing process. Annealing is an example of a thermal treatment for metal parts. Various different treatments are available: they can increase the hardness of a material, as well as the resilience and many other properties.

For instance, the heating of iron and steel, followed by rapid cooling, results in the formation of the martensite crystal. This crystal structure has very good mechanical properties, like hardness. It is suite for parts that are submitted to constant friction. This is a routine procedure and all vehicle factories.

Grain size is crucial for the performance of a metal part and manufacturers must carefully control this factor.

Key processes like extrusion and intrusion, in the context of igneous rocks formation, are also used in industry, mainly in the manufacture of metal products.

Modern technology allows us to repeat processes that occur inside the earth. Apart from those just discussed, it is also possible to produce diamonds and other gemstones in laboratories. Reinforced reactors vessels are capable of withstand the enormous pressures required to produce these crystals. They provide an artificial environment that imitates the conditions inside the planet. It is also done in a commercial scale to produce small diamonds to be used as cutting tools, as diamond is the hardest material known. It is often said that diamonds are forever but that is not actually true, because of the presence of the cleavage planes (their Achilles' heel).