What is Isotropic? Definition, Examples, and Importance in Materials Science

Isotropic means uniform in all directions. In the context of materials, an isotropic material has the same properties in all directions, so it behaves the same way regardless of the direction in which it is tested. This is in contrast to an anisotropic material, which has different properties in different directions.

For example, water is an isotropic material because it has the same density and viscosity in all directions. In contrast, wood is an anisotropic material because its density and strength vary depending on the direction of the grain.

Isotropy is an important property in materials science because it allows for simplification of calculations and predictions about a material's behavior. If a material is isotropic, then its properties can be described using a single set of equations, rather than having to account for different properties in different directions.