Posted on 06/20/2007 6:49:10 PM PDT by nypokerface
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 20 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have created stainless steel alloys designed to allow increased operating temperatures and efficiency in energy production systems.
The new alloys developed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are said to offer superior oxidation resistance compared with conventional stainless steels, without significant increased cost or decreased resistance to creep -- sagging at high temperature.
But U.S. Energy Department scientists said what really sets the proprietary material apart from other stainless steels is its ability to form protective aluminum oxide scales instead of chromium oxide scales.
The combination of creep and oxidation resistance offered by the new alloys previously was available only with nickel-base alloys, which are about five times more costly than the new stainless steels.
The material, which also has potential applications in high-temperature chemical and process industry applications, was reported in the journal Science.
Hmmmmm. Aluminum steel. Haven’t they been making automotive exhaust systems out of this for decades?
“This type of development can have big implications. They play out way under the radar, at least to a mass media that is focussed on the cavortings of the latest sex kitten.”
Who cares?
The really important question is, what news about Paris Hilton will be breaking tomorrow?
You may have Howard Sperm mixed up with Howard the Dork.
How quickly can we get the Chinese to produce this material?
The biggest exhaust system around here are inflated union jobs, save state gubmint. That's a good thing, the bad part is that it takes a few capitalists with each one.
The good news is we will rise again, they will not.
It’s been done, demonstrated, and patented. It is a transparent aluminum oxide, just like Scotty talked about when he grabbed the old Macintosh mouse and held it to his lips all those years ago.
I believe his words were, “Hello, Computer..”
LOL... As soon as I read the headline, "Reardon Steel" popped into my head.
Have you seen the price of Inconel lately? Many of the alloys are over $40. / lb.
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