•Tianjin University scientists have developed a technique to significantly enhance the heat resistance of aluminum alloys. •The new alloys can withstand temperatures up to 662°F, making them suitable for use in aerospace and transportation applications. •China is also accelerating the development of green-power aluminum to reduce carbon emissions in the aluminum industry.
From OILPRICE.COM
•Tianjin University scientists have developed a technique to significantly enhance the heat resistance of aluminum alloys.
•The new alloys can withstand temperatures up to 662°F, making them suitable for use in aerospace and transportation applications.
•China is also accelerating the development of green-power aluminum to reduce carbon emissions in the aluminum industry.
Chinese scientists recently announced the development of a technique to significantly enhance the heat resistance of aluminum alloys. The breakthrough will address a major challenge that has long restricted the use of this lightweight metal in critical fields such as aerospace and transportation.
According to a report in the South China Morning Post, the team of scientists from Tianjin University developed the new technique by injecting nanoparticles into plain, everyday aluminum alloys. In doing so, they created a strengthened aluminum alloy that proved capable of performing well even at very high temperatures.
This report from news agency Xinhua describes how manufacturers prize aluminum alloys for their low density, high specific strength, and corrosion resistance. But until now, aluminum alloys demonstrated limited heat resistance, typically operating around 350 degrees Celsius, or 662 degrees Fahrenheit. Beyond 400 degrees Celsius, their mechanical properties quickly degrade, dramatically limiting aluminum’s use in aerospace design.
The report quotes a scientist as saying that the new alloy will not only be easy to produce on a large scale, but that its development is of great importance to the aerospace industry. As most people know, airplanes, rockets, and space vehicles encounter a lot of atmospheric friction. Moreover, they must often operate in high-temperature fields. This new technique will enable the use of aluminum components in situations where they were previously unsuitable.