Description

A substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten.

Special Characteristics

Alloys are a set made up of combinations of metallic elements. The news about alloys is the ability of new material processing techniques to combine hitherto incompatible materials. This has created alloys with new characteristics, such as high temp capabilities unavailable before.

Impact on Economy

Alloys contribute to job creation and economic growth through efficiencies in production of automobiles and aircraft, in construction, and in other industries where materials can be created for specialized applications.

Impact on Security

Alloys contribute to enhanced national security by allowing the creation of better quality and less expensive military equipment.

Worldview

Although the United States currently has the lead, both in technology and production capabilities, Europe and Japan are close enough that many industry observers expect the future market to be evenly split, with each country favoring indigenous production. Russia may have an advantage in its ability to weld advanced alloys, which can help in some applications of those alloys.

What’s the use?

Lighter, stiffer airframes, automobile frames and high-temp structural applications to aerospace.