Application of New Type Silicon Carbide Nanometer Material

Researchers at University of California-Los Angeles made silicon carbide nanoparticles into magnesium and zinc alloy in the solution, which generated a kind of metal nano composite material. This material has light weight, strong features, strong "malleable", and super "stability" under high temperature.

Magnesium is the lightest structural metal. Researchers at University of California-Los Angeles keep its "light weight" feature and at the same time, make it become more strong. Researchers say that they have developed a mass production process, which lays a foundation for producing lighter and stronger car, aircraft, medical equipment and electronic equipment.

Silicon carbide is a kind of superhard metal materials and has been applied in automobile clutch and carbon ceramic brakes. Nanoparticles previously have been injected into the metallic solution, but such nanoparticles will be condensed.

The "breakthrough" of researchers at University of California-Los Angeles is to make silicon carbide nanoparticles fully merged into the field of metal magnesium, and exploit high pressure to compress metal to make it more strong. In terms of the weight ratio, there are 14% for silicon carbide and 86% for magnesium in this kind of composite material.

The technical breakthrough can help people to produce lighter and stronger cars, but also can solve problems of electric car battery weight. In addition, researcher think that magnesium is one of the most abundant elements on earth, and they have developed a mass production process, and now the problem is the price.