The Distortion of Metals by Cold Working

The paper deals with current conceptions of cold working and its varied effects on the metal undergoing deformation. The mechanism and behaviour of single metal crystals and polycrystalline aggregates, whilst undergoing cold working deformation, are outlined. Two aspects are treated, namely, block slip and “twinning”. The X-ray examination of a polycrystalline metal under deforming stresses is mentioned, together with the formation of flow lines, better known as Lüder's lines. The effect of cold work on the mechanical, physical, electrical, and chemical properties of materials is then considered in some detail, together with the practical aspects of the changes wrought. The paper concludes with a brief summary of the subject, and the more important theories are reviewed in order to see how far they explain all the phenomena observed.