Gallium Induced Structural Failure of an Aluminum Sheet

In this video we cause an aluminum sheet to fail structurally using gallium metal.

For this experiment a 1mm thick aluminum sheet was used.

Simply score/scratch the surface and apply molten gallium. The sheet must be kept warm while the gallium diffuses in so it should be kept in a warm room. Otherwise the gallium will freeze and the diffusion stops.

What's happening is the gallium is dissolving some of the aluminum as well as diffusing between the grain boundaries of the aluminum microcrystals and disrupting their bonding. This causes the aluminum sheet to greatly weaken so it can easily be destroyed just by punching it.

[Nazrat]

"It's actually quite amazing to have something once stronger than you crumble in your hands" - Best super villain mad scientist quote ever.

[Chuck_Huckler]

"I do not have a black belt in martial arts, just a PhD in chemistry"
Nice quote.

[NurdRage]

So some updates:
1. My lab is still coming along slowly. 
2. Next video (in 1 or 2 weeks) will be on making a battery. 
3. I'm currently working on a support campaign in TubeStart, I hope to launch it in January. (I'm not using Patreon since they wanted my SSN... I am NOT giving them my SSN.) But I'd like some suggestions: What sort of rewards should i put down for the subscription campaign?

[TheKingofRandom]

You are so cool ;)  How can we source gallium without going to eBay?

[EverySixt]

"I do not have a black belt in martial arts, just a phd in chemistry" 

That cracked me up more than it should have. Nice video.

[spik]

the nurdrage logo through the hole was a good touch.

[gamingphone]

Quite amazing to have something originally stronger than you crumble in your hands? Like my dads ashes

[gaysanta]

"Looks pretty good"

* Snorts gallium *

[crazypippuz]

This phenomenon is called LME (stays for liquid metal embrittlement) and happens when a metal with low fusion temperature (like gallium, mercury, bismuth etc) is poured in another metal or alloy's notch. This liquid metal can reduce the atomic bonding strenght and the result is to change the type of failure from ductile (caused by development of internal microvoids) to brittle (in general intergranular or called cleavage).

[TheRationalPi]

"It's quite amazing to have something that was stronger than you just crumble in your hands" would be an awesome life for a super villain.

[Mazaroth]

"I do not have black belt in martial arts, just PhD in chemistry"

Only Nurdrage can be a badass while saying this.

[accdea]

"It's actually quite amazing to see something that was originally stronger than you crumble in your hands..." The most cynical thing I have ever heard xD

[NurdRage]

Greetings fellow nerds.

I've made a machine that lets you read comments in my voice.

[xpeter]

"I do not have a black belt in martial arts, I just have a PhD in chemistry "

[jjparkrocks]

You just have a PhD in chemistry.

Just.


Yep.

[electronicsNmore]

Sounds like the guy from "Alien Interview". LOL

[ihavekalashnikovyoudomath]

Are you sure it's not the the reaction with the gallium and aluminum creates a fume that gives humans super strength, but only to aluminum?

[OracleAnne]

Man, can I just tell you how happy your videos make me? Awesome science and cool filmmaking. I've been watching since you first got started. Thanks for doing what you do!

[StevenRides]

Why do you hide your voice? I'm just wondering

[TBCman]

"I do not have a black belt in martial arts, I just have a Phd in chemistry." BEST LINE EVER!!!! Lol, nice video. Keep em coming. IF you do start a support campaign, I will gladly donate. Totally worth it.