Crystal Defect

A three-dimensionally periodic arrangement of points termed a lattice and an

atom or collection of atoms that are connected to it can be used to define a perfect crystal.

Crystal lattice = Lattice + Motif

Where Motif is an atom or collection of atoms and the lattice is a periodic 3D

arrangement of points. The term "crystal defect" refers to any alterations to the ideal atomic
arrangement in a crystal. A crystal defect is an imperfection in the crystal lattice with one or
more dimensions on the order of an atomic diameter. The qualities of some materials are
significantly impacted by imperfections. It's crucial to comprehend the various crystal flaws that
can exist and how they impact how materials behave because of this. For instance, alloying has
a major impact on the mechanical properties of pure metals; sterling silver, which is made up of
92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, is much harder and stronger than pure silver.

Why are crytstal defects important in ceramics?

Many features of materials are controlled by crystalline flaws. Point flaws can
significantly diminish the electrical and thermal conductivity of metals, and substitution defects
can affect the electrical conductivity of semiconductors. Ions can be guided by vacancy defects,
which are referred as as having ionic conductivity. Each material's behavior depends
significantly on the presence of crystallinity flaws.

Properties including mechanical strength, ductility, crystal growth, dielectric

strength, magnetic hysteresis, conductivity, etc. are all impacted by the crystal flaws.

There is no such thing as a flawless crystal with all of the same type of
atoms in their proper positions.

How properties change with the change of defects?

The topics, which include a number of them, require a full course in
materials science to be thoroughly covered. Second, mechanical characteristics are distinct
from physical characteristics, electrical characteristics, and chemical characteristics. There are
physical, mechanical, and chemical properties in science.

Single or point faults, linear defects, and area or planar defects are the
three types of flaws. Point defects have the greatest impact on electrical characteristics because
they cause all possible types of electrical properties to alter when dopants or solute atoms are
added to a material. If present in the crystals used to construct integrated circuits, dislocations
or line faults impair electrical conductivity or harm the devices. Dislocations should therefore be
avoided.
Type of Crystal Defect
Classification of crystal defects (microscopic defects) is frequently made
according to the geometry or dimensionality of the defect. Other macroscopic defects that are
far larger than microscopic exist in all solid materials, such as cracks, pores, foreign inclusions,
and other phases. Various types of crystal defects which are studied to improve the properties
are given below-

• Point Defects
• Line Defects
• Planar or Interfacial Defects

Point Defects
Only at or near a single lattice point do point defects (a type of crystal defect) of
atomic dimensions exist. They are not distorted in any way in space. These are some examples
of various point flaws seen in crystals:

• Vacancy Defects
• Interstitial Defects
• Substitutional Defects
• Frenkel Defects
• Schottky Defects

What is the importance of defects in materials?

The impact a flaw has on the material's varied properties is its most crucial
aspect. Some flaws do not influence certain qualities. Dislocations or stacking faults, for
instance, can enhance certain features. Resources and the cost of making them will be saved
by locating flaws and approving it for particular usage.