Yale scientists have created a material that mimics the look and strength of steel with the moldability of plastic. These bulk metal gases, also known as BMGs, allows them to be blow-molded into complex shapes within minutes due to their randomly arranged atoms and low critical cooling rate. While the moldable metal costs the same to create as alloy, the processing cost for creating BMGs is as cheap as plastic.
"This could enable a whole new paradigm for shaping metals," said material scientist Jan Schroers, who led the Yale team. "The superior properties of BMGs relative to plastics and typical metals, combined with the ease, economy and precision of blow molding, have the potential to impact society just as much as the development of synthetic plastics and their associated processing methods have in the last century."
Moldable Steel
Yale Scientists Create Bulk Metal Gases That Can Be Blown Into Complex Shapes
Trend Themes
1. Moldable Metals - The development of moldable metals opens up opportunities for creating complex shapes and structures with the strength of steel and the flexibility of plastic.
2. Bulk Metal Gases (bmgs) - The use of BMGs as blow-moldable materials provides a cost-effective alternative for shaping metals compared to traditional alloy processing.
3. Blow Molding Technology - Advancements in blow molding technology allow for the rapid production of complex metal shapes with high precision and low processing costs.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive Manufacturing - The automotive industry can leverage moldable metals and BMGs to create lightweight yet strong components, improving performance and fuel efficiency.
2. Consumer Electronics - The consumer electronics industry can benefit from the use of moldable metals to design sleek and durable products that better meet customer demands.
3. Aerospace Engineering - In aerospace engineering, the ability to blow-mold complex metal shapes using BMGs opens up possibilities for creating lightweight yet robust components, enhancing aircraft performance and safety.