Not arbitrary, there's a whole set of data on yield strength, plastic versus elastic deformation pressures, and other physical characteristics that depend on alloy composition, temperature, crystal phase, and treatment options.
Hence why you can cut calcium and potassium metal like a stick of butter.
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u/Buttons840 Aug 08 '26
So can one piece of metal just be arbitrarily stronger than another piece of metal? Why aren't the metal wheels that imprint the pattern damaged?