Sunday, January 29, 2023
SCIENMAG: Latest Science and Health News
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME PAGE
  • BIOLOGY
  • CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
  • MEDICINE
    • Cancer
    • Infectious Emerging Diseases
  • SPACE
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME PAGE
  • BIOLOGY
  • CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
  • MEDICINE
    • Cancer
    • Infectious Emerging Diseases
  • SPACE
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag - Latest science news from science magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home SCIENCE NEWS Chemistry AND Physics

Researchers use 3-D printing to create metallic glass alloys

March 22, 2018
in Chemistry AND Physics
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
IMAGE

Credit: Zaynab Mahbooba

Researchers have now demonstrated the ability to create amorphous metal, or metallic glass, alloys using three-dimensional (3-D) printing technology, opening the door to a variety of applications – such as more efficient electric motors, better wear-resistant materials, higher strength materials, and lighter weight structures.

"Metallic glasses lack the crystalline structures of most metals – the amorphous structure results in exceptionally desirable properties," says Zaynab Mahbooba, first author of a paper on the work and a Ph.D. student in North Carolina State University's Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

Unfortunately, making metallic glass requires rapid cooling to prevent the crystalline structure from forming. Historically, that meant researchers could only cast metallic glasses into small thicknesses. For example, amorphous iron alloys could be cast no more than a few millimeters thick. That size limitation is called an alloy's critical casting thickness.

"The idea of using additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing, to produce metallic glass on scales larger than the critical casting thickness has been around for more than a decade," Mahbooba says. "But this is the first published work demonstrating that we can actually do it. We were able to produce an amorphous iron alloy on a scale 15 times larger than its critical casting thickness."

The technique works by applying a laser to a layer of metal powder, melting the powder into a solid layer that is only 20 microns thick. The "build platform" then descends 20 microns, more powder is spread onto the surface, and the process repeats itself. Because the alloy is formed a little at a time, it cools quickly – retaining its amorphous qualities. However, the end result is a solid, metallic glass object – not an object made of laminated, discrete layers of the alloy.

"This is a proof-of-concept demonstrating that we can do this," says Ola Harrysson, corresponding author of the paper and Edward P. Fitts Distinguished Professor of Industrial Systems and Engineering at NC State.

"And there is no reason this technique could not be used to produce any amorphous alloy," Harrysson says. "One of the limiting factors at this point is going to be producing or obtaining metal powders of whatever alloy composition you are looking for.

"For example, we know that some metallic glasses have demonstrated enormous potential for use in electric motors, reducing waste heat and converting more power from electromagnetic fields into electricity."

"It will take some trial and error to find the alloy compositions that have the best combination of properties for any given application," Mahbooba says. "For instance, you want to make sure you not only have the desirable electromagnetic properties, but that the alloy isn't too brittle for practical use."

"And because we're talking about additive manufacturing, we can produce these metallic glasses in a variety of complex geometries – which may also contribute to their usefulness in various applications," Harrysson says.

###

The paper, "Additive manufacturing of an iron-based bulk metallic glass larger than the critical casting thickness," is published in the journal Applied Materials Today. The paper was co-authored by Harvey West, Timothy Horn and Christopher Rock of NC State; Lena Thorsson, Mattias Unosson and Peter Skoglund of Sindre Metals; and Evelina Vogli of Liquidmetal Coatings. The work was done with support from the National Science Foundation under grant number 1549770.

Media Contact

Matt Shipman
[email protected]
919-515-6386
@NCStateNews

http://www.ncsu.edu

Original Source

https://news.ncsu.edu/2018/03/metallic-glass-bulk-2018/ http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmt.2018.02.011

Share25Tweet16Share4ShareSendShare
  • Logo

    New study shows snacking on mixed tree nuts may impact cardiovascular risk factors and increase serotonin

    103 shares
    Share 41 Tweet 26
  • Null results research now published by major behavioral medicine journal

    533 shares
    Share 213 Tweet 133
  • New study debunks the assumption that menstrual cycles disqualify women from exercise research

    65 shares
    Share 26 Tweet 16
  • Constructor University professor publishes outstanding psychological research paper

    76 shares
    Share 30 Tweet 19
  • Ignoring Native American data perpetuates misleading white ‘deaths of despair’ narrative, study finds

    67 shares
    Share 27 Tweet 17
  • The next generation of global health innovators: Michelson Prize winners announced

    66 shares
    Share 26 Tweet 17
ADVERTISEMENT

About us

We bring you the latest science news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.

Latest NEWS

New study shows snacking on mixed tree nuts may impact cardiovascular risk factors and increase serotonin

Hydrogen peroxide from tea and coffee residue: New pathway to sustainability

Null results research now published by major behavioral medicine journal

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 205 other subscribers

© 2022 Scienmag- Science Magazine: Latest Science News.

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME PAGE
  • BIOLOGY
  • CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
  • MEDICINE
    • Cancer
    • Infectious Emerging Diseases
  • SPACE
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • CONTACT US

© 2022 Scienmag- Science Magazine: Latest Science News.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In