Rehbinder effect

In physics, the Rehbinder effect is the reduction in the hardness and ductility of a material, particularly metals, by a surfactant film.

[1] The effect is named for Soviet scientist Piotr Aleksandrovich Rehbinder [ru],[2][3] who discovered the effect in 1928.

[4] A proposed explanation for this effect is the disruption of surface oxide films, and the reduction of surface energy by surfactants.

[1][5] The effect is of particular importance in machining, as lubricants reduce cutting forces.

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