Materials Solutions News

Rust never sleeps, as the saying goes. The economic impact of that adage — from premature degradation of metals to the billions spent on combating corrosion — is clear evidence. But help could soon be on the way from, of all places, the U.S. Rust Belt, as explained in this video. Engineers at the University of Buffalo are working on an anti-corrosion composite coating made of graphene that actually prevents rust formation. Importantly, the coating can be applied using brushes and sprayers commonly used in chromium coating.

Ceramic-metal parts are the basis for building engineering devices specifically designed for extreme operating environments. FRIALIT — DEGUSSIT technical ceramics and a team of experienced professionals always assist customers in finding the best solution to a problem. We help our customers develop their own unique products, enabling them to reach maximum efficiency in any field.

Carbon-carbon composites are various forms that are reinforced by chemical vapor infiltration or resin impregnation, using high temperature vacuum furnaces. The materials are highly resistant to heat, wear, and fracture, and they are lightweight and retain their strength at high temperatures. Learn more about MINTEQ® International Inc, Pyrogenics Group.

It's as thin and flexible as a sheet of paper — you can bend it, you can shape it. No, it's not plastic. It's glass. Corning Inc. has just introduced what could be the future of electronic device screens. It's called, appropriately, Willow Glass and it could revolutionize the future of consumer electronics, paving the way for roll-up displays and flexible keyboards. Ironically, it may even replace another revolutionary Corning product.

Cell phones and other electronic devices that use ceramic-based circuitry could operate more efficiently if it weren't for temperature changes that affect their frequency. Now, a materials scientist at Sandia National Laboratories has developed a novel approach to creating materials that won't degenerate due to temperature changes, eliminating the need for the additional mechanical and electrical circuits currently built into various devices to compensate for temperature fluctuations.

Progress in introducing green technologies to motorsports has sped up, thanks to recent advances in composites. Recycled composites and flax-reinforced composites make up a good portion of the materials used to manufacture the world's first electric FIA Formula E race car, which is set to compete in next year's World Championship Series, as shown in this video. Extensive testing of mechanical and impact properties of the composite materials showed minimal loss of strength and fiber stiffness when compared with original virgin prepregs.

Intricate plastic components could soon be mass produced at a fraction of current costs thanks to a new technology developed by university researchers in Ireland. The process uses bulk metallic glasses (BMG) to produce high-precision molds for making tiny plastic components for computers or lab-on-a-chip diagnostic devices. Using BMG injection molding equipment, researchers discovered that it's possible to create millimeter-sized polymer components that have surface features on the micrometer and nanometer scale.

Leading Edge Metals & Alloys is a worldwide leader in supplying a wide range of quality materials (Al thru W) in bar, rod, coil, and wire products from stock. Combining years of customer service experience with material expertise, LEMA ships material throughout North America and around the globe.

Fusite is a global leader in the design, development, and production of precision glass-to-metal hermetic seals. Fusite produces custom feedthroughs and connectors for demanding customer applications such as aerospace communication, process instrumentation, pressure, and temperature sensing, air-conditioning compressor terminals and many more. Contact one of Fusite's five global facilities today, or visit our Web site.

Aramid nanofibers, which offer promising possibilities for a range of products, have come out of the incubator. A Japanese company has announced development of the world's first mass-producible aramid nanofiber, which the company will market initially in the form of a nonwoven sheet for separators in lithium ion batteries. The nanofiber is heat resistant, resistant to oxidation, and keeps its shape even at 300 C.

An innovative dry decontamination wipe featuring activated carbon has won a U.S. Army contract for further testing and development. The FiberTect® wipe is composed of a flexible and drapable three-layer nonwoven composite substrate that can adsorb chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial material, and radiological and biological particles.

The technique is called friction stir welding and NASA is relying on it for its next heavy-lift launch vehicle. The welding process transforms metal from a solid into a plastic-like state, using a rotating pin tool to soften, stir, and forge a bond between two metal plates to create a smooth, virtually defect-free welded joint. NASA has found that the process yields higher strength metals with higher reliability and predictability and is also safer than traditional welding since it does not create fumes, radiation, or high voltage.

Advances in optical technology using nanostructured metamaterials could make the transmission of light ultra efficient, paving the way for faster computing and improved solar cells. Engineers at Purdue University found that the metamaterial — in this case silver, titanium oxide, and quantum dots — can significantly alter the properties of light, creating a new route to manipulating light. Such nano metamaterials could make it possible to reduce the size of photons and the wavelength of light, allowing for new types of nanophotonic devices.

Economical Ferrium® M54 VIM/VAR steel (AMS 6516) provides 293 ksi UTS, 250 ksi YS, 115 ksi-√in fracture toughness (typical properties) with high SCC resistance, high fatigue resistance, and robust thermal processing to reduce costs/weight or improve durability vs 4340, 300 M, Maraging 250, AerMet® 100, etc. Corrosion-resistant Ferrium® S53® UHS steel also available.

Saint-Gobain Ceramics offers a range of ceramic materials to meet your needs for composite armor protection systems. With nearly 40 years of experience in composite armor systems, we can supply finished components, unfinished, machined blanks, pressed near net shape blanks, high volume pressed net shape components, and complex, highly machined parts.

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