The first cheap alloy which can be produced in large quantities without capital investment, which can be formed and which can be produced without deformation or rapid heat treatment. The alloy can be made in large sizes (greater than 200 mm) in all directions. The controlling scale of the structure is the same as that of carbon nanotubes, and yet, it is stronger than any carbon nanotube for sizes in excess of 2 mm.
The material is now being produced on a large scale and with large dimensions.
Super Bainite, 0.79C,1.56Si,1.98Mn,0.24 Mo, 1.01Cr,1.51Co and 1.01Al wt%, Austenitized at 920 centigrade for 30 min and heat treated at 200 centigrade for 3 days. Photographs provided by Vijay Jerath of CORUS U.K.
Some six tonnes of an alloy which represents the first bulk nanostructured metal has been produced.
Six tonnes of nanostructured bainite. Photograph: Peter Brown |
Six tonnes of superbainite. Photograph: Peter Brown |
Six tonnes of extremely strong bainite. Photograph: Peter Brown |
The steel was then further hot-rolled and coiled hot. Its microstructure at this stage is pearlite. The following photographs have been provided by Peter Brown. The strong bainite is produced in subsequent heat treatment.
The final picture shows the flat segments ready for heat-treatment into the nanostructured bainite.
The steel capable of producing nanostructured bainite is on the right. These five ingots are produced using a special casting technology.
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