amorphization

noun

amor·​phi·​za·​tion ə-ˌmȯr-fə-ˈzā-shən 

chemistry

: the act or process of making something structurally amorphous or of becoming structurally amorphous

pressure-induced amorphization of crystals …

—Russell J. Hemley et al., Physics Today, August 1998

The formation and growth of an amorphous metallic alloy by atomic transport in the solid state, or solid-state amorphization, is in fact ubiquitous.

—Yang-Tse Cheng et al., Science, 27 Feb. 1987

amorphize

ə-ˈmȯr-ˌfīz 

transitive verb

amorphized; amorphizing; amorphizes

Here I describe experiments probing this relationship for a form of crystalline ice … which is melted and amorphized by pressure.

—Osamu Mishima, Nature, 12 Dec. 1996

Word History

Etymology

amorph(ous) + -ization

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

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