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Futurism: Physicists Combine Gold with Titanium And Quadruple Its Strength
In Brief
Scientists from Rice University have discovered a titanium alloy that's better than titanium at being a medical implant, and it is four times harder than titanium and a vast majority of steels.
These unexpected properties stem from the structure of Titanium-3. The researchers previously did not know a harder version of the alloy comes out when higher temperatures are used. High temperatures create an almost purely crystalline form of the beta version of the alloy.
Science Advances: High hardness in the biocompatible intermetallic compound β-Ti3Au
Abstract
The search for new hard materials is often challenging, but strongly motivated by the vast application potential such materials hold. Ti3Au exhibits high hardness values (about four times those of pure Ti and most steel alloys), reduced coefficient of friction and wear rates, and biocompatibility, all of which are optimal traits for orthopedic, dental, and prosthetic applications. In addition, the ability of this compound to adhere to ceramic parts can reduce both the weight and the cost of medical components. The fourfold increase in the hardness of Ti3Au compared to other Ti–Au alloys and compounds can be attributed to the elevated valence electron density, the reduced bond length, and the pseudogap formation. Understanding the origin of hardness in this intermetallic compound provides an avenue toward designing superior biocompatible, hard materials.
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So it would seem that we still have lots to learn about metalurgy or Alchemistry......
If I recall the moon has lots of Titanium as an oxide so we have with just a little gold the means to make a very strong building, or star ship......
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Well, there's a lot of work to do before turning this stuff loose as a structural material. Materials properties are tricky things, particularly with beta-phase titanium. Hardness usually goes with strength, but that has to be proven. The previous beta-phase alloys aged at room temperature, loosing strength and resilience disastrously in only months. Alpha-phase titaniums are unformable, meaning you cannot cold-work or hot-work them to shape. Tricky stuff, indeed.
GW
GW Johnson
McGregor, Texas
"There is nothing as expensive as a dead crew, especially one dead from a bad management decision"
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