Matt Shipman, March 28, 2016
https://news.ncsu.edu/2016/03/rabiei-heat-2016/
“A new study from North Carolina State University researchers finds that novel light-weight composite metal foams (CMFs) are significantly more effective at insulating against high heat than the conventional base metals and alloys that they’re made of, such as steel.”
“The presence of air pockets inside CMF make it so effective at blocking heat, mainly because heat travels more slowly through air than through metal,” says Afsaneh Rabiei, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at NC State and corresponding author of a paper on the work. The composite metal foam consists of metallic hollow spheres – made of materials such as carbon steel, stainless steel or titanium – embedded in a metallic matrix made of steel, aluminum or metallic alloys.”
Mitch: I find the near future implications of this new material really interesting, vast, and far reaching. The applications are potentially limitless and uses as far ranging as nuclear waste containment to space vessel construction have been proposed and are quite possible. Due to the metallic foams incredible ability to insulate against various types of radiation there could be many applications in firefighter gear especially. It could offer lighter shielding against thermal radiation. Additionally tools made from it would not transfer heat to the user as readily. Handles would stay cooler, sensitive instruments would be better protected from heat and impact, and helmets would protect users more reliably. Additionally there is a lot of flexibility in the material properties of the foam itself, depending on the mix and the size of the voids, different properties are achievable. Honestly I see a lot of applications of this in the near future and consider it a material and process to watch.
