Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The theoretical strength of solids

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In principle, there is an upper limit to the mechanical strength of any material under given test conditions. This limit is called the ideal strength. This paper attempts to define the ideal strength so far as is presently possible. Firstly, a brief summary is given of the highest strengths obtained experimentally. Next follows a detailed account of the attempts to calculate the ideal strength from theoretical considerations. Finally, the experimental and calculated results are compared, and it is concluded that in one or two instances the ideal strength has probably been realised experimentally.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A. Kelly, W. R. Tyson, andA. H. Cottrell,Phil. Mag. 15 (1967) 567.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Idem, Can. J. Phys. 45 (1967) 883.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. A. Kelly, “Strong Solids” (Oxford University Press, 1966).

  4. P. C. Gehlen, A. R. Rosenfield, andG. T. Hahn,J. Appl. Phys. 39 (1968) 5246.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Z. S. Basinski, M. S. Duesbery, andR. Taylor,Phil. Mag. 21 (1970) 1201.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. M. F. Ashby, S. H. Gelles, andL. E. Tanner,ibid 19 (1969) 757.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. L. M. Brown, G. R. Woolhouse, andU. Valdrè,ibid 17 (1968) 781.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. L. M. Brown andG. R. Woolhouse,ibid 21 (1970) 329.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. A. N. May,Nature 228 (1970) 990.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. N. H. MacMillan, Ph.D. Thesis, Cambridge University (1969).

  11. J. C. Crump andJ. W. Mitchell,J. Appl. Phys. 41 (1970) 717.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. P. D. Bayer andR. E. Cooper,J. Mater. Sci. 4 (1969) 15.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. P. D. Bayer andR. E. Cooper,Proc. 2nd Int. Conf. on Fracture, Brighton (1969) (Chapman and Hall, London, 1969) 372.

    Google Scholar 

  14. R. B. Sharma,J. Appl. Phys. 41 (1970) 3371.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. S. Z. Bokshtein et al, Soviet Physics-Solid State 12 (1970) 1292.

    Google Scholar 

  16. J. W. Mitchell, private communication.

  17. R. V. Coleman,Met. Reviews 9 (1964) 261.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. W. C. Dash, “Growth and Perfection of Crystals” (Wiley, New York, 1958) 189.

    Google Scholar 

  19. W. C. Dash,J. Appl. Phys. 30 (1959) 459.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. R. L. Mozzi andB. E. Warren,J. Appl. Cryst. 2 (1969) 164.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. P. Dean andJ. Bell,New Scientist 45 (1970) 104.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. N. Gane andF. P. Bowden,J. Appl. Phys. 39 (1968) 1432.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. N. H. MacMillan andN. Gane,ibid 41 (1970) 672.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. N. Gane andJ. M. Cox,Phil. Mag. 22 (1970) 881.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. N. Gane,Proc. Roy. Soc. A317 (1970) 367.

    Google Scholar 

  26. M. Born andR. Fürth,Proc. Camb. Phil. Soc. 36 (1940) 454.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. F. Milstein,Phys. Rev. B3 (1971) 1130.

    Google Scholar 

  28. M. Polanyi,Z. Phys. 7 (1921) 323.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. E. Orowan,Z. Krist. A89 (1934) 327.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Idem, Reports Prog. Phys. 12 (1949) 185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Idem, Weld. J. 34 (1955) 157.

    Google Scholar 

  32. T. L. Johnston,N.B.S. Monograph 59 (1962) 63.

    Google Scholar 

  33. US National Academy of Sciences (Materials Advisory Board), Report MAB-221-M (1966).

  34. F. A. McClintock andW. R. O'Day, unpublished (1965).

  35. G. K. Demishev andG. M. Bartenev,Sillikattechnik 17 (1966) 215.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Idem, ibid 17 (1966) 344.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. J. Frenkel,Z. Phys. 37 (1926) 572.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. J. K. MacKenzie, Ph.D. Thesis, Bristol University (1949).

  39. J. F. Nye, “Physical Properties of Crystals” (Oxford University Press, 1960).

  40. W. L. Bragg andW. M. Lomer,Proc. Roy. Soc. A196 (1949) 171.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. W. M. Lomer,ibid A196 (1949) 182.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. J. H. De Boer,Trans. Faraday Soc. 32 (1936) 10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. W. R. Tyson,Phil. Mag. 14 (1966) 925.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. J. Ladik andI. Naray-Szabo,Nature 18 (1960) 226.

    Google Scholar 

  45. L. A. Girifalco andV. G. Weizer,Phys. Rev. 114 (1959) 687.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. G. L. Pollack,Rev. Mod. Phys. 36 (1964) 748.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. R. H. S. Winterton,Contemp. Phys. 11 (1970) 559.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. M. P. Tosi,Sol. Stat. Phys. 16 (1964) 1.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. E. R. Dobbs andG. O. Jones,Reports Prog. Phys. 20 (1957) 516.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. F. Zwicky,Phys. Z. 24 (1923) 131.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. G. M. Bartenev andE. G. Koryak-Doronenko,Phys. Stat. Sol. 24 (1967) 443.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. P. O. Szomor,ibid 28 (1968) 529.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. M. Born andK. Huang, “Dynamical Theory of Crystal Lattices” (Oxford University Press, 1966).

  54. A. V. Leontova et al, Phys. Stat. Sol. 42 (1970) 543.

    Google Scholar 

  55. D. Stansfield, Ph.D. Thesis, Bristol University (1954).

  56. W. M. Haynes,J. Phys. Chem. Solids 32 (1971) 791.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Z. Gyulai,Z. Phys. 138 (1954) 317.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. D. Stansfield,Proc. Phys. Soc. 72 (1958) 854.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. S. S. Brenner,J. Appl. Phys. 27 (1956) 1484.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. O. W. Johnson andP. Gibbs,ibid 34 (1963) 2852.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. J. J. Gilman,Mech. Eng. 83 (1961) 55.

    Google Scholar 

  62. F. P. Mallinder andB. A. Proctor,Phil. Mag. 13 (1966) 197.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Idem, Proc. Brit. Ceram. Soc.6 (1966) 9.

    Google Scholar 

  64. J. G. Morley andB. A. Proctor,Nature 196 (1962) 1082.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. W. B. Hillig,J. Appl. Phys. 32 (1961) 741.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. J. G. Morley, P. Andrews, andI. Whitney,J. Phys. and Chem. Glasses 5 (1964) 1.

    Google Scholar 

  67. G. J. Keeler andD. N. Batchelder,J. Phys. (C)3 (1970) 510.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. M. Gäsanger, H. Egger, andE. Lüscher,Phys. Letters 27A (1968) 695.

    Google Scholar 

  69. H. R. Moeller andC. F. Squire,Phys. Rev. 151 (1966) 689.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. H. B. Huntington,Sol. Stat. Phys. 7 (1958) 213.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. RIAS, Martin Marietta Corp, 1450 South Rolling Road, 21227, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    N. H. MacMillan

Authors
  1. N. H. MacMillan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

MacMillan, N.H. The theoretical strength of solids. J Mater Sci 7, 239–254 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02403513

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02403513

Keywords

Search

Navigation