An Alternative Concept of Plasticity in Solids: Electronic Structure, Lattice Self-Compression, and Metastability

Could plasticity be an intrinsic property of mechanically unstable crystal lattices rather than merely a consequence of structural defects? This work presents an alternative concept of plasticity based on the relationship between the electronic structure of solids and the mechanical stability of their crystal lattices. It proposes that lattice stability is strongly influenced by the spatial distribution of valence electrons, which may be either isotropic or anisotropic. An isotropic distribution is associated with a spherically symmetric interatomic potential that promotes additional atomic convergence and lattice self-compression. According to the proposed model, this compression can make the lattice susceptible to shear instability and facilitate plastic deformation. In contrast, anisotropic electron distributions are associated with directional interatomic interactions and greater lattice stability. The concept relates the strength and plasticity of solids to their lattice stability: stable lattices tend to exhibit high strength and limited plasticity, whereas mechanically unstable lattices can deform more readily. The model also suggests that lattice compression may promote electron delocalization, increasing electrical conductivity and giving solids metal-like electronic and mechanical properties.