Metallic glass becomes more accessible

Australian scientists said in the bulletin Nature Communications, that they managed to create a model of the bulk metallic glass, the production of which will become more accessible for industry. "We give a new approach to modeling of the atomic structure of metallic glasses," - said in a statement the scientists.

Metallic glass, also known as amorphous steel, is both flexible and ultra-hard alloy that is not only extremely malleable, but also much stronger than steel. Depending on the temperature of the metallic glass can achieve the consistency of the chewing gum or any other object in the three times stronger than steel.

Several teams of researchers have tried to create an industrial model amorphous iron: they used different combinations of metals such as magnesium, copper and palladium. However, production processes typically are costly and time consuming.

A new study suggests the creation of a model that will allow scientists to assess the combination of the right metal to begin the process of smelting. It will be used to predict and determine the "ingredients" are ideal for creating the metallic glass.

"Until now, scientists were selected by the experimental alloy compositions, but now do not need to undergo a long process of trial and error in the lab," - said the researcher from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Australian scientists have successfully predicted 200 new metallic glass alloys.

"We will also be able to design these materials at the atomic level, to give them specific properties such as we want," - said Kevin Laws.

Metallic glass alloys are expensive to produce and are currently used in niche products such as ejector pins for iPhones, springs for ultra-expensive watches with manual winding, exclusive medical implants, tennis rackets and golf clubs for billionaires. Among other things, the amorphous steel will be used in the next models of the rover.

"But if the alloys become cheaper and easier to manufacture, they can be used in many instruments, including electronic devices in vehicles which is particularly important as a stable material for storing hydrogen fuel for machines of the future", - said Lowes.