unstable material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unstable material" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts discussing substances that are not solid or reliable, such as in chemistry or engineering. For example, "The researchers were concerned about the effects of the unstable material on the experiment." Alternative expressions include "volatile substance" and "insecure material."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

These were then filled in with unstable material which can eventually leak away leaving a cavity.

The Guardian

As Mostow proved in "Breakdown" and "U-571," he can churn out excitement at a steady pace; whether he can handle dread — altogether a more unstable material — is another matter.

The New Yorker

The bits of newspaper symbolised the conflicting fictions upon which nations are built and the encaustic, an unstable material, was perceived by critics to be a metaphor for the unstable nature of identity.

The Guardian - Arts

The pits do not have rims like craters produced by impacts, leading the scientists to speculate that they were etched by some unstable material that evaporated quickly when exposed at the surface.

The New York Times - Science

In the perforated unit cell, all subdomains of the unit cell that are not strictly elliptic are excluded, which enables the decomposition of its stable and unstable material.

Composites Part B: Engineering

Traditional abrasive fluid jet polishing (FJP) is limited by its high-pressure equipment, unstable material removal rate, and applicability to ultra-smooth surfaces because of the evident air turbulence, fluid expansion, and a large polishing spot in high-pressure FJP.

Ultrasonics Sonochemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Even with projected frequent shuttle flights, the expense of space disposal would probably have been too high for any but the most dangerous of wastes, which would have had to be separated from other less unstable materials.

The New York Times - Science

In 1992, he was credited with saving crew, ship and the adjoining port area in the Port of Charleston by averting the explosion of highly unstable materials spilled in a storm.

The New York Times

"Reynolds was a very good painter, but he often used unstable materials and added things to his paints which made them very vulnerable to cleaning," says Roy. "We have an important Reynolds portrait of Lord Heathfield, which is one of the pictures in the gallery's founding collection.

The Guardian

Some geologists favour a definition of graywacke that permits no more than 75 percent free quartz in the rock, and they thus would class as subgraywackes those rocks with (1) over 25 percent unstable materials (i.e., feldspar and rock fragments), (2) more rock fragments than feldspar, and (3) more voids (open pore spaces) or mineral (often carbonate) cement than clay or mud matrix.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The method involves gentle handling of unstable materials.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical properties, use "unstable material" to indicate a substance prone to change, degradation, or collapse. Be specific about the type of instability, such as thermal, chemical, or structural, for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "unstable material" as a vague descriptor. Instead, specify the context and nature of the instability. For instance, instead of saying "the building was constructed with "unstable material", clarify whether the issue is related to structural integrity, chemical reactivity, or environmental factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unstable material" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "unstable" modifies the noun "material". It's used to describe a substance or component that is not in a fixed or reliable state, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unstable material" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, particularly within scientific, news and encyclopedic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage for describing substances prone to change or decay. The key to using this phrase effectively is to provide specific details about the nature of the instability. While it appears less frequently in informal settings, understanding its formal usage ensures accurate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertain material

Replaces "unstable" with a term suggesting doubt or lack of definitive properties.

vulnerable material

Highlights the susceptibility of the material to damage or degradation.

uneven material

Shifts the focus to a lack of uniformity or consistency in the material.

unreliable material

Indicates the material cannot be depended upon to perform consistently.

fragile material

Emphasizes the material's susceptibility to breakage or damage.

unpredictable material

Emphasizes the difficulty in forecasting the material's behavior.

shaky material

Implies a lack of firmness or solidity in the material.

tenuous material

Suggests the material is thin, weak, or insubstantial.

precarious material

Focuses on the risky or uncertain nature of the material's state.

erratic material

Highlights the irregular or inconsistent behavior of the material.

FAQs

How can I use "unstable material" in a sentence?

You can use "unstable material" to describe substances prone to change or decay. For example, "The scientist warned about the dangers of handling the "unstable material"".

What are some alternatives to "unstable material"?

Depending on the context, you could use "uncertain material", "vulnerable material", or "fragile material" as alternatives.

What does it mean for a material to be considered "unstable"?

When a material is described as "unstable", it indicates that it is prone to change its form, properties, or state, often leading to undesirable or hazardous outcomes. This could be due to factors like chemical reactivity, temperature sensitivity, or structural weakness.

In what contexts is the term "unstable material" commonly used?

The term "unstable material" is frequently used in scientific and engineering contexts, especially when discussing the properties and behavior of substances that are prone to change or degradation. It is also used in news and media when reporting on incidents involving hazardous or potentially dangerous substances.