The fundamental concepts of physics are crucial to understanding the correlation of the structure and strength of materials. Some materials, like a steel coil spring or rubber, are elastic. Grasping a rubber ball deforms the shape momentarily before it returns to its original state. Other materials when manipulated with, such as clay, will retain its newly deformed shape. This phenomenon, called plasticity, has been studied by scientists in designing high strength steels and alloys. The demand for high-technology metallic materials continues to depend on further research and understanding of ..