In
materials science,
polymorphism is the ability of a solid material to exist in more than one form or
crystal structure. Polymorphism can potentially be found in any crystalline material including
polymers,
minerals, and
metals, and is related to
allotropy, which refers to
chemical elements. The complete morphology of a material is described by polymorphism and other variables such as
crystal habit,
amorphous fraction or
crystallographic defects. Polymorphism is relevant to the fields of
pharmaceuticals,
agrochemicals,
pigments,
dyestuffs,
foods, and
explosives.