Here’s the new strongest lightweight material created by UCLA

25 Feb 2019

Science is never a step behind when it comes to astonishing us with its wonders. Researchers at UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have created something extraordinary. The researchers have created a new light weight and yet extremely structurally strong material, which, if taken into serious consideration can prove to be a boon to various sections of our day to day, lives.

The newly created metal is a combination of Magnesium infused with dense silicon carbide nano particles, which can be effectively implied in areas like manufacturing of aircrafts, spacecrafts, cars, electronics etc.

Xiaochun Li, the principal investigator on the research and Raytheon Chair in Manufacturing Engineering at UCLA, said in a statement:

“It’s been proposed that nanoparticles could really enhance the strength of metals without damaging their plasticity, especially light metals like magnesium, but no groups have been able to disperse ceramic nanoparticles in molten metals until now. With an infusion of physics and materials processing, our method paves a new way to enhance the performance of many different kinds of metals by evenly infusing dense nanoparticles to enhance the performance of metals to meet energy and sustainability challenges in today’s society.”
Until now, scientists were unable to disperse nano particles in molten metal, but the research team of Lian-Yi Chen, an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, have found out an effective way of dispersing nano particles in molten metal.

Li has added that the research conducted by his team will lead the way to a much better utilization of the resources that we have. Till date, infusion of nano particles with molten metal has been one of the primary concerns for the scientists.

The newly created metal is way better when it comes to strength, stiffness, durability of high pressure and temperature and plasticity. The combination of magnesium and silicon will provide the industries with a much better option, when it comes to selecting building material.

The researchers also added that the use of magnesium and silicon will not have any negative impacts on the environment. In addition, both of them are available in abundance which makes them quite a choice for the purpose. The new metal is 14% silicon carbide nano particles and 86% magnesium. Magnesium provides the lightweight, while silicon carbide nano particles provide the strength.

View Other Reports