The chromium, cobalt and nickel compound becomes even more resistant when used at low temperatures
Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley, in collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, both in the United States, have developed a new metal alloy that can be considered the strongest material ever produced on Earth.
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According to scientists, this compound composed of chromium, cobalt and nickel is extremely hard and not very prone to fracture. In particular, these properties increase considerably when the material is used at low temperatures.
“Strength, ductility and toughness are three properties that determine the durability of a material. Strength describes resistance to deformation, while ductility demonstrates how malleable a compound is,” explains mechanical engineer Robert Richie, co-author of the study.
high entropy alloys
So-called high entropy alloys (HEA) contain elements mixed in equal proportions. One of these alloys in particular, composed of chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel, has strength and ductility that increase at the temperature of liquid nitrogen, without compromising its toughness.
The derivative of this alloy, consisting only of chromium, cobalt and nickel, showed even more impressive properties. By subjecting the material to the temperature of helium gas (-253°C), they achieved a constant toughness of over 500 megapascals.
“In the same proportions, the toughness of aluminum structure in passenger aircraft is about 35, and that of some of the best steel on the market hardly exceeds 100 megapascals. So getting anything over 500 is a tremendous number,” adds Richie .
new materials
Now that the researchers have managed to understand how this new metal alloy works, the idea is to design new materials that can go even further. According to them, these compounds would be ideal for applications in extreme environments, such as deep space.
Before that, scientists plan to find a way to make these alloys with cheaper and more abundant elements in nature. The global shortage of cobalt and nickel, for example, prevents the industrial-scale production of mixtures containing these metals.
“When you’re flying in an airplane, it’s not pleasant knowing that what’s responsible for your safety at 40,000 feet is an alloy that was developed months ago. That’s why structural materials can take many years, even decades, to develop to use in the real world,” concludes Professor Robert Richie.
Source: Berkeley laboratory
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Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
