The metal that can float on water: Radical new material could lead to 'indestructible' warships and ultralight cars
- Metal matrix composite was developed with the US Army
- Alloy is turned into foam by adding strong, lightweight hollow spheres
- Warship made of it will not sink despite damage to its structure
- Light weight could improve fuel economy in ultralight cars
Researchers have demonstrated a new type of metal so light it can float on water.
The radical new material, called a metal matrix composite, was developed with the US Army.
A boat made of such lightweight composites will not sink despite damage to its structure.
The radical new material, called a
metal matrix composite, was developed with the US Army and could be used
in everything from warship to cars.
The new material also promises to improve automotive fuel economy because it combines light weight with heat resistance
Although
syntactic foams have been around for many years, this is the first
development of a lightweight metal matrix syntactic foam.
'This
new development of very light metal matrix composites can swing the
pendulum back in favor of metallic materials,' said Nikhil Gupta, an NYU
School of Engineering professor in the Department of Mechanical and
Aerospace Engineering and the study's co-author.
It was created by Deep Springs Technology and the New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering.
'The
ability of metals to withstand higher temperatures can be a huge
advantage for these composites in engine and exhaust components, quite
apart from structural parts.'
The
magnesium alloy matrix composite is reinforced with silicon carbide
hollow particles and has a density of only 0.92 grams per cubic
centimeter compared to 1.0 g/cc of water.
Not
only does it have a density lower than that of water, it is strong
enough to withstand the rigorous conditions faced in the marine
environment.
Significant
efforts in recent years have focused on developing lightweight polymer
matrix composites to replace heavier metal-based components in
automobiles and marine vessels.
The
technology for the new composite is very close to maturation and could
be put into prototypes for testing within three years.
Amphibious
vehicles such as the Ultra Heavy-lift Amphibious Connector (UHAC) being
developed by the U.S. Marine Corps can especially benefit from the
light weight and high buoyancy offered by the new syntactic foams, the
researchers explained.
The syntactic foam made by DST and NYU captures the lightness of foams, but adds substantial strength.
HMS Daring, a new £1 billion warship:
Using the new material, future ships could look radically different -
and be able to survive multiple hits without sinking
The
secret of this syntactic foam starts with a matrix made of a magnesium
alloy, which is then turned into foam by adding strong, lightweight
silicon carbide hollow spheres developed and manufactured by DST.
A
single sphere's shell can withstand pressure of over 25,000 pounds per
square inch (PSI) before it ruptures—one hundred times the maximum
pressure in a fire hose.
The
hollow particles also offer impact protection to the syntactic foam
because each shell acts like an energy absorber during its fracture.
The
composite can be customized for density and other properties by adding
more or fewer shells into the metal matrix to fit the requirements of
the application.
This concept can also be used with other magnesium alloys that are non-flammable.
The new composite has potential applications in boat flooring, automobile parts, and buoyancy modules as well as vehicle armour.
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