When the kinetic energy of the particles in some metals is decreased, the particles will tend to move closer together, reducing the interparticle distance. This results in a reduction in the average vibrational energy of the particles, which in turn can cause the metal to undergo a phase transition and become a solid.
For metals with a face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure, the decrease in kinetic energy may result in the formation of a close-packed hexagonal (CPH) crystal structure. For metals with a body-centered cubic (BCC) crystal structure, the decrease in kinetic energy may result in the formation of a simple cubic crystal structure.
This change in the crystal structure of metals due to a decrease in kinetic energy is known as recrystallization or recrystallization annealing. The process is commonly used to improve the mechanical properties and texture of metals, such as increasing their strength and reducing the likelihood of fracture.