Industry Related News: United States – November 2022:
Useful in a wide range of applications, shape-memory materials change shape with temperature (or another type of trigger). While these materials have traditionally been composed of metal, a new variety made of ceramic has recently been developed. This could allow for far more applications, as the heightened temperature resistance would allow for it to be utilized in higher temperature environments.
Diving more into the background of shape-memory materials, these materials have two shapes/forms. They switch with input from things like temperature, mechanical stress, or electricity/magnetism. Scientists have found these materials useful as they do not require systems or parts, as the material does all the work on its own.
Ceramic, as opposed to metal, can withstand much higher temperatures – thousands compared to hundreds of degrees Celsius when studied in thermal testing environments. While ceramic tends to be known for how brittle and fragile it is, scientists have circumvented this and produced a material that is both durable and reliable. The material itself can deform by around 10% during temperature tests, meaning that something composed of this material could become 10% longer when needed.
Unlike metals that can only withstand temperatures so high, this new ceramic material can be used in far more settings and situations. Including possibly even directing airflow within a jet engine, an example noted by one of the lead scientists on this project.
With high temperature resistance and a continuously expanding range of applications, this shape-memory material has great potential. Where this material will ultimately be used is still unknown, but scientists are excited by the future. We look forward to seeing how this temperature resistant material serves future projects.
ScienceDaily.com, “Engineers Develop a New Kind of Shape-memory Material“, Accessed 7 October 2022.
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Khoury Industries is a worldwide leader in temperature testing equipment for device characterization, thermal cycling equipment, and failure analysis. Khoury Industries designs and manufactures custom thermal chambers and microwave thermal testing fixtures used in a variety of industries including: military, space, automotive, medical, research, and communication fields. The Khoury Box and the patented ELI-1000 have quickly become industry favorites as thermal testing devices used to ensure the reliability of industrial and electronic products through prolonged exposure to extreme conditions.
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