VINACHEM

CALIFORNIA (Commodity Online): The research team based at the University of California of USA have pioneered the development of the cutting edge technology of the damage tolerant metallic glass earlier this year.

The scientists have definitely bettered themselves by coming out with an inexpensive way to produce the alloy in commercial scale. The process is identical to that of manufacturing plastics, said the scientists within the project. The innovation was also described as a paradigm shift by the scientists.

The innovation has the potential to be used in a wide range of applications ranging from mobile phones to biomedical implants, said a research fellow working at the California Institute of Technology.

The alloy supposedly is stronger than steel and titanium and the production process is similar to that of plastics and inexpensive. The innovation is considered a breakthrough, enabling scientists to study the materials in molten stage, which was not done before.

The primary constituent of the alloy is Palladium, which is mixed with a small amount of silver and other metalloids to form this particular type of metallic glass. The alloy has the strength of metals and the atomic structure of glass, from which it derives its toughness.

Senior research fellow at Caltech said that the material can be best used as biomedical implants due to its damage tolerance, resistance to corrosion, chemical inertness, its superior strength etc. The alloy can also be made use in automobiles and aerospace components.