Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast
Episode 99: Bulk Metallic Glasses
Jan 10, 2025
Join Jan Schroers, a Yale professor and expert in bulk metallic glasses, as he dives into the transformative world of these revolutionary materials. Discover how rapid cooling can turn liquid metals into glassy materials with remarkable strength, rivaling ceramics. Jan reveals the potential of bulk metallic glasses in innovative applications, from sports equipment to advanced robotics. He also discusses the intriguing physics behind their properties, including the significance of cooling rates and atomic arrangements, highlighting their game-changing capabilities.
53:35
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Quick takeaways
- Bulk metallic glasses are unique materials that maintain an amorphous structure, providing exceptional mechanical properties such as high strength and elasticity.
- Their ability to be processed like thermoplastics enables innovative manufacturing techniques, allowing for complex designs in various industries including robotics and aerospace.
Deep dives
Understanding Bulk Metallic Glasses
Bulk metallic glasses are liquid metals that, upon rapid cooling, bypass the crystallization process. This phenomenon occurs because the atoms in the molten state cannot rearrange fast enough to form a crystalline structure, resulting in a glassy, amorphous solid. Unlike traditional metals that crystallize upon solidification, metallic glasses maintain a non-crystalline structure, which leads to unique mechanical properties. The first successful bulk metallic glasses were created from compositions like palladium, copper, and silicon, which showed promising characteristics not seen in conventional crystalline metals.
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