Experts from the Russian National Research University of Technology MISIS (NUST MISIS) worked with other Russian scientists to develop a low-cost aluminum alloy that can withstand high temperatures 100-150°C higher than its similar alloys. According to the author, the material will greatly reduce the weight and carbon emissions of railway transportation, aviation and other equipment.
Aluminum and most aluminum alloys have high corrosion resistance in almost all environments-the atmosphere, sea water and fresh water, many chemical solutions, and most foods. Coupled with low specific gravity and good thermal and electrical conductivity, aluminum is widely used in aircraft manufacturing, automobile manufacturing, electronics and other fields. The research results were published in the Journal of Alloys and Compounds.
Scientists pointed out that aluminum alloy wires can effectively replace the expensive and bulky copper-based wires currently in use. Its use in airplanes, high-speed trains and other equipment will significantly reduce their weight and dimensions, thereby saving fuel and reducing harmful emissions. However, according to NUST MISIS, the current method of producing this alloy and its components is extremely expensive and laborious.
The experts of NUST MISIS proposed a new type of aluminum alloy structure and the technology of using it to produce wires. According to research and development personnel, the difference between this material and similar materials is that the cost is relatively low, easy to manufacture, and has some unique physical properties.
“Our material has a thermally stable structure and can withstand high temperatures of 400°C. All known aluminum alloys will soften significantly at 250-300°C. Our alloy contains copper, manganese and zirconium, which makes it conductive Performance, strength and heat resistance have been almost perfect combination. “NUST MISiS metal forming department senior researcher Torgom Akopian said.
According to the study authors, a key feature of the new alloy is that about 10% of the material volume is special nanoparticles containing zirconium and manganese, which are evenly distributed in the aluminum matrix.
The alloy is made of an electromagnetic crystallizer using ElmaCast technology developed by the Krasnoyarsk Magnetohydrodynamics Scientific Production Center. Subsequently, with the participation of experts from the Kurchatov Institute, the heat treatment deformation and analysis research were carried out.
In the future, the scientific team intends to continue to optimize the chemical composition of new materials and their processing methods.