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Is it possible to grow crystals in moulds to give them custom shapes?
by ffhhj 5y ago
Is it possible to grow crystals in moulds to give them custom shapes?
- svachalek 5y agoYou can influence the shape, I'm sure, but the geometry is mostly dictated by the molecules. These cube shapes are just how NaCl "wants" to bond, while other molecules may form hexagonal prisms or other shapes.
- rsfern 5y agoYes! The turbine blades in jet engines are single crystals of typically Ni or Co based alloys that are grown in a mold. It’s more of a directional solidification process though, I don’t think you could grow a NaCl crystal from solution like this in a mold https://www.appropedia.org/Single_Crystal_Turbine_Blades#Manufacturing_Process_and_Crystal_Growth https://www.appropedia.org/Single_Crystal_Turbine_Blades#Man...