A new super-material?

[metalmagpie]

...in an "aluminum foam"

So just what acid will dissolve aluminum?

Lye will eat aluminum. Not to say acids won't, don't know.

[nickel-city-fab]

Maybe I'm just easy to impress.
Wish they would have showed more tests showing it's armor capabilities.

Well, to be fair, the guys here *can* be brutal.... just not as bad as on that other site

Maybe I'm a little strange because I believe that all ideas deserve a fair chance.

[Mike Amick]

Just seen too many "academical inventions" that seem to be isolated from real world.

Tex-lock was hot kickstarter few years ago. Bicycle lock made of synthetic fibers, pretty difficult to cut with bolt cutters.

https://youtu.be/gL2YBZ3wCfg?t=35

Too bad they didn't consider other tools. Pocket size small hacksaw goes trough tex-lock in 8 seconds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6Bj...ature=youtu.be

I suspect that special made serrated edge knife would be even faster than 8 seconds.

No, I get it.

Just sayin that I just watched a video of an angle grinder being destroyed trying to get through this "stuff". ( original post )

Maybe I'm just easy to impress.

Wish they would have showed more tests showing it's armor capabilities.

That tex-lock thing is junk in comparison.

[ikdor]

I'm with macona, the gallium will mess up the matrix to the point where you can break the bike lock with your hand.

[MattiJ]

Man .. I would hate to bring a new invention here, you guys are brutal.

Just seen too many "academical inventions" that seem to be isolated from real world.

Tex-lock was hot kickstarter few years ago. Bicycle lock made of synthetic fibers, pretty difficult to cut with bolt cutters.

https://youtu.be/gL2YBZ3wCfg?t=35

Too bad they didn't consider other tools. Pocket size small hacksaw goes trough tex-lock in 8 seconds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6Bj...ature=youtu.be

I suspect that special made serrated edge knife would be even faster than 8 seconds.

[JRouche]

Man .. I would hate to bring a new invention here, you guys are brutal.

Well the issue is Mike. It is not a new invention. JR

[dian]

there was a time where "ceramic" brake rotors were popular in racing. it was a mix of aluminum and silicon (sand?), impossible to machine without pcd but would melt easily (sometimes on the track). the material discussed here could be melted with a torch.

[macona]

A few years ago I remember there was some new armor material (vehicular) developed to counter the roadside explosive devices (IED's) that were taking a toll on our troops in Iraq. I recall the foamed aluminum material was a key element, but don't remember what, if any, other components were involved. That's what first came to mind when this thread started.

There was a material where they used a slightly porous alumina ceramic and infused it with aluminum metal. Basically they take the piece od ceramic and set a chunk of aluminum ( I assume pure) and put it in a vacuum furnace. It melts and the ceramic wicks it up. You ended up with something as hard as ceramic but not brittle. Great for armor.

[JRouche]

The balls in the media cause the cutting surface to deflect and wear making it not as effective. The balls are harder than the support media and deflects the cutter. Think of hitting carbide spots when machining iron. It destroys the cutting face.

I get it now, thank you. I think you nailed it. I have run into a similar issue where the "aggregate" was causing me some issues with tolerances.

Thanks, JR

[JRouche]

Yeah, ok. I'll wait in the wings while some thief comes along with a water jet cutter to steal a bicycle-

But I'll bet you can come along with a C-clamp and you'll be all set for the Tour De France

I have a portable plasma cutter. Ill just remove a lil bit of the bike to take it all. JR

[Mike Amick]

Man .. I would hate to bring a new invention here, you guys are brutal.

[lynnl]

A few years ago I remember there was some new armor material (vehicular) developed to counter the roadside explosive devices (IED's) that were taking a toll on our troops in Iraq. I recall the foamed aluminum material was a key element, but don't remember what, if any, other components were involved. That's what first came to mind when this thread started.

[mc_n_g]

This is similar to placing riprap rocks above a tunnel entrance to prevent an aerial bomb or missile from penetrating the top of the tunnel. This causes the bomb or missile to break up and spall rather than explode with full force. Simple use of rock to deflect. The balls in the media cause the cutting surface to deflect and wear making it not as effective. The balls are harder than the support media and deflects the cutter. Think of hitting carbide spots when machining iron. It destroys the cutting face.

[Doozer]

You guys know this "impossible to cut" rhetoric is just advertising and marketing.
The sheep need to stop believing it.

-D

[JRouche]

Diamond cant get it? Come on!!

I use PCD stictly for aluminum.

Let me at that sheet of foam with one of my newer cutters.

Might be slow going to eat the ceramic balls with my diamond. Not in a hurry.

Ok, silicon slicing blades from the electronic chip industry. Very small curf blades, diamond.

Many ways to crack a nut they said. Who knows. JR