New Steel Alloy Can Top Titanium

Feb-05-15 A new steel alloy as strong and light as titanium could have significant applications in the automotive and airline industries.

Traditionally, steel has been alloyed with aluminum in order to make it more lightweight. A bit of manganese added to the mixture helps to make the material less brittle, but not enough for it to be used in vehicles.

The new alloy, developed by a team from Pohang University of Science and Technology, was made possible with the addition of nickel. Adding nickel to the mixture causes a reaction with the aluminum that results in B2 crystals. These crystals increase the material's resistance to shear forces and give it a strength and density equal to that of titanium. And, as an added bonus, the new steel alloy costs about a tenth of what titanium costs.

More Info about this Invention:

[POPULARMECHANICS.COM]
[GIZMODO.COM]

---