Posted on 07/05/2002 6:20:45 PM PDT by ChadGore
Edited on 04/13/2004 2:07:56 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
NEW YORK (AP) It could be the new superhero of metals.
More than twice as strong as titanium and steel, it doesn't rust and it can be cast like plastic and honed to an edge as sharp as glass.
And like any superhero, it has a weakness: don't heat it too much, or it loses its strength.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Computers and solid modelling softwares are used to drive 3D prototype part generators by 'sputtering' a polymer material thru controlled jets.
IMO, it looks like it would be possible to do the same with this 'Liquidmetal' and actually produce a working, useable part. No expensive molds or tooling for low volume parts.
The Nambé foundry began production in 1951, after the discovery of a new metal alloy containing no silver, lead, or pewter but possessing the beauty of lustrous sterling and the durability of iron. This unique new alloy does not crack, chip, peel, or tarnish, and it can retain heat and cold for hours, making it perfect for cooking, serving, and decorating.
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Still looking for the composition details of the alloy.
I'm not very familiar with this technique. The only prototyping I've seen along these lines involved using UV sensitive photopolymer resins. I suppose it is a rather "cool" application of high technology. But the parts are brittle and have a tendency to wrap. I'd rather have a prototype made out of a truly functional production material.
Who knows? Maybe this "liquidmetal" and "sputtering" are a step in the right direction. But for now, I'm gonna categorize it as "potentially interesting stuff to tinker with", but niche unknown without further information.
Malleable is correct, at 2100 degrees. (Give or take a few hundred degrees)
The melting point of iron is 2795.
Good question. titanium, copper, nickel, zirconium and beryllium. Beryllium causes cancer almost overnight and is highly toxic, some makers of nuetron bomb components found this out the hard way in the early 60's. Nickel was used for plating items such as the snaps and hooks on womens bras until it was discovered that a few people had a serious allergic reaction to un alloyed Nickel.
It is a amorphous alloy with a melting point of 750 F, so I would guess that the elements are weakly bonded if at all. A solid metal is traditionally defined by its crystal strucure which this alloy seems to lack. Maybe some metallurgist types out there can enlighten.
Yes. But simply because a process takes advantage of the material's maleablity at that temperature doesn't mean that the material "becomes malleable" at that temperature. There is no specific transition point as the article tries to assert.
I appreciate your knowledge on the subject, Willie.
I think I'm just looking at "malleable" in a more generic manner, where you're being more specific.
By the way, you have any contacts at Nucor?
Thought it wouldn't hurt to ask, I'm looking to possibly making a move.
No lecture intended. Just pointing out that soft steel is not molten at 2100.
Already do that. Aluminum is easy enough to cast especially if you not concerned about maintaining one micron.
Well thanks, but I gotta admit that I'm digging into somewhat "arcane" engineering/metallurgical theory. While the fundamental principles certainly still apply and always will, application in the United States has been on the decline for quite a while as more and more industry moves overseas. And the in industries that I've worked in over the years, I've only had occasional use for this specialized "trivia".
By the way, you have any contacts at Nucor?
Sorry, no I don't.
I never worked in any primary metals industries, mostly parts fabrication processes (stamping, machining, etc.) and assembly. I've been around heat treat and diecast operations as well, which touch somewhat on the technical aspects of this discussion. I suppose some of my "insight" into the steel industry simply comes from having grown up in Pittsburgh. Dad was an engineer at one of the mills, so I've been picking up odds and ends from him as long as I can remember. But even he branched away from stainless steel and became more focused and specialized in tungsten carbide powder before he retired.
Can you smelt it in your garage for example?
OK, fair enough.
I suppose a good case can be made that high carbon steel (almost cast iron -- 1.9? 1.95% C) begins to get molten when temperature crosses the solidus around 2100, even though it isn't completely molten until after it passes the liquidus at a higher temperature.
But then I was only trying to guess what the author meant anyway.
Malleable is a somewhat subjective/relative term.
It just doesn't make sense to me to say that steel becomes malleable at 2100.
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