Researchers find cheap alloy as strong as titanium

Scientists at the Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea have published a study describing a new alloy that is as strong and light as titanium, but costs only one-tenth.

The alloy, described in a study published in Nature, consists of iron and aluminum with nickel added as an additional ingredient. This creates a so-called B2 intermetallic in which the nickel reacts with aluminum and B2 crystals are formed at the nanoscale. These crystals would make the alloy much less brittle and therefore extra strong, while the presence of aluminum makes the material light.

According to the Korean scientists, the new alloy is as strong as titanium, while also being comparable in weight. However, if produced on a large scale, the material could be a factor of ten cheaper than the relatively expensive titanium.

The use of steel for the manufacture of cars, for example, is decreasing, because vehicles are being built ever lighter in order to reduce fuel consumption. Aluminum is not always suitable for cars because it is not strong enough. This new alloy may provide new options for the automotive industry.