Revolutionary aluminum composite

silver · Post by **silver** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 10:49 am

Well they call it revolutionary however I remember when MMC's came out in the 80's so color me jaded.

Revolutionary aluminum composite stronger and lighter than carbon fiber

Delft (Netherlands) - Researchers at Delft University of Technology have created an aluminum composite material that is stronger than carbon fiber, costs less to manufacture, weighs 20% less and is immune to metal fatigue. It is being billed as a material that could revolutionize the airline industries, saving $100 billion worldwide.

hotcam · Post by **hotcam** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 11:54 am

I agree with your jaded approach. Sandwich structures are not new, and neither are MMCs. Without more info, this seems like just a bunch of 'seen it before'.

UnFazed · Post by **UnFazed** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 12:22 am

I'd have to question any metal composite which could be called immune to fatigue. Basically means it's so hard that it won't flex, but can probably be shattered like glass. So we'd be trading one metal composite and one set of problems for another. I certainly wouldn't ride a motorcycle made out of this stuff, in an accident your frame might shatter and you could be decapitated by a flying chunk of your own ride.......

silver · Post by **silver** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 12:36 am

Generally I'd agree with you UnFazed, however I have to point out that there are metals like titanium that have a very high degree of resiliency and definitely won't shatter under impact. I think that if you're going fast enough to shatter a MMC/AC frame then you might as well kiss it goodbye anyway. Odds are my helmet, riding gear and that spare tire wouldn't fair nearly as well anyway !

UnFazed · Post by **UnFazed** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 9:56 am

silver wrote:Generally I'd agree with you UnFazed, however I have to point out that there are metals like titanium that have a very high degree of resiliency and definitely won't shatter under impact.

True, but this stuff is not titanium. Not even close. Just ordinary aluminum layered with composite (composite what, I wonder). While it may not shard like pure glass would, I bet it has much the same properties as safety glass, which it appears to mimic in some details. So high pressure resistance, but low tolerance for a sudden impact.