ABSTRACT
7.1 Elastic and Plastic Deformation
The microscopic viewpoint deals with the physical explanation of plasticity and establishes the relationship between plastic behavior and the interatomic forces that act within the crystalline structure of a metal. Elastic deformation is usually defined as a change in the dimensions that are directly proportional to and in phase with an increase or decrease in the applied force [1]. In elastic deformation, a limited distortion of the crystal lattice occurs and as soon as the force is removed, the distortion disappears as shown in Fig. 7.1.
