Glassy Metals
I read this very interesting article in Discover magazine last month. It's about a metal concocted in the lab. Unlike most alloys, which are composed of two metals in a crystalline structure -- that's highly ordered for the uninitiated -- the glassy metals add a third element to the mix with a dramatically different atomic radius -- this upsets the nicely ordered alloy, forcing it to solidify in a random, or amorphous pattern, similar to glass.
The results? Well, an alloy that can be injection molded as it were plastic. The alloy is amazingly strong, hard, with a strength/weight ratio that reminds me of carbon-nanotubes. It also has elastic properties that seem almost miraculous. Under stress, most metals deform -- amorphous metals simply bounce back into shape. So why isn't this amazing metal being used to make ... well, cars for instance? Unfortunately, it's still cost prohibitive to mass manufacture the stuff. Which really sucks today ... but tomorrow ...
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| Crystalline Structure | Amorphous Structure |
The results? Well, an alloy that can be injection molded as it were plastic. The alloy is amazingly strong, hard, with a strength/weight ratio that reminds me of carbon-nanotubes. It also has elastic properties that seem almost miraculous. Under stress, most metals deform -- amorphous metals simply bounce back into shape. So why isn't this amazing metal being used to make ... well, cars for instance? Unfortunately, it's still cost prohibitive to mass manufacture the stuff. Which really sucks today ... but tomorrow ...
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