Putting advanced metallic materials through their paces

Unlike conventional metallic materials, metallic glasses are alloys, which due to their amorphous structure, can be specially moulded and cast more efficiently. One EU project set out to improve their processing options to maximise their potential.

In their solid state metals consist of a highly ordered crystalline atomic state. However, if metal alloys are cooled extremely quickly through the process of ‘quenching’, metallic glass is produced which has a disordered atomic structure. These materials can be specially moulded and efficiently cast, with less shrinkage for example, for customised applications. However, one limitation with metallic glass is that to avoid crystallisation, the quench speed needed limits the sample sizes achievable.

Further details: Putting advanced metallic materials through their paces