Amorphous metal as ideal diaphragm material?

[Ron E]

Sintered metal is powder that is compressed and heated to form a porous metal sponge-like structure. The individual pieces have a crystalline structure. Depending on the amount of heat and pressure used, it can be almost solid.

This new material has the properties of a glass-like plastic when it is quickly cooled, meaning it is amorphous and has no crystalline (ordered) structure whatsoever. THe material is heat-sensitive and not ductile at all. It has low fatigue resistance, so if a crack forms, it will rapidly grow and the part will fail if stressed.

[Mudge]

Originally posted by Ron E
This new material has the properties of a glass-like plastic when it is quickly cooled, meaning it is amorphous and has no crystalline (ordered) structure whatsoever. THe material is heat-sensitive and not ductile at all. It has low fatigue resistance, so if a crack forms, it will rapidly grow and the part will fail if stressed.

I think they're describing what I'm talking about in terms that people can relate to. Metal ions in general do not form non-crystalline structures, but this polycrystalline structure has been known for sometime, and exhibits similar properties to those they describe. If they got the average crystal size down to a few ions per crystal, then it would appear be similar to an 'amorphous' metal. A truly amorphous metal would be much easier to cut.

[baggystevo82]

i think part of the key to making this amorphous materials is in the large variance in atom size, meaning that no propper regular structure can be formed, which would mean i think that crystals wouldn't be able to form, as crystals must have a regular structure. of course i could quite easily be talking out of my ****. I think part of the reason high carbon steel is harder is that it reduces crystal size, as the smaller carbon atoms displace the iron atoms out of position causing a grain boundary? Though heat treatment is another thing altogether, but i think results in molecules of varying sizes - martensite and austenite, but really not sure how that works.

[454Casull]

Originally posted by baggystevo82
i think part of the key to making this amorphous materials is in the large variance in atom size, meaning that no propper regular structure can be formed, which would mean i think that crystals wouldn't be able to form, as crystals must have a regular structure. of course i could quite easily be talking out of my ****. I think part of the reason high carbon steel is harder is that it reduces crystal size, as the smaller carbon atoms displace the iron atoms out of position causing a grain boundary? Though heat treatment is another thing altogether, but i think results in molecules of varying sizes - martensite and austenite, but really not sure how that works.

I believe that the higher carbon content creates more iron carbide, which is what makes the steel harder.

Anyway, I think amorphous metal doesn't have a crystal structure at all - hence the term "glassine".

[baggystevo82]

Anyway, I think amorphous metal doesn't have a crystal structure at all - hence the term "glassine".

well if the material is actually amorphous and they dont use amorphous as advertising slang with some random small print disclaimer, then that must go without saying. I believe them when they say amorphous, from what ive seen on it so far anyway.

I believe that the higher carbon content creates more iron carbide, which is what makes the steel harder.

Yes i was getting half confused with iron where theres so much carbon that it precipitates out to form its own nodules between the iron crystals.