Why do some metals ring when struck while others don’t?
In: Physics
Eyyy something I actually know the answer too… well at least in iron. Metallurgist here.
It has to do with the crystal structure of the matrix. Certain irons such as gray iron (brake rotors) have flake like carbon within the matrix.. these carbon flakes muffle the sound/vibration which is why they make good brake rotors.
Ductile iron is formed with with magnesium which caused the carbon to form spherical/nodular grains in the lattice matrix. This in turns strengthens the iron but these nodes don’t absorb the vibration so if struck it will vibrate and ring.
I’m assuming a similar explanation could be used across all metals. Depending on the alloys composition the metal will ring and vibrate more or will dampen the vibration causing a dull thud sound
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