Novel process brings most reactive components to the surface (left) and traps the least reactive components at the core (right). (Courtesy Martin Thuo/Iowa State University)

Inspired by nature’s work to build spiky structures in caves, Iowa State University (ISU) researchers have developed a novel technology capable of recovering precious metals from the alloys in electrical waste, such as old phones, computers, and televisions. University start-up funds and part of a U.S. Department of Energy Small Business Innovation Research grant supported development of the technology.

At relatively low temperatures, oxygen is introduced, slowly moving most reactive surfaces to the surface forming stalagmite-like spikes of metal oxides.  The least-reactive components remain in a purified, liquid core surrounded by brittle metal-oxide spikes “to create a so-called ‘ship-in-a-bottle structure,’” said Martin Thuo, the leader of the research project and an associate professor of materials science and engineering at ISU.

ORNL researchers used Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion to produce crack-free molybdenum, proving its viability for Additive Manufacturing. (Courtesy of ORNL/US Dept of Energy)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, proved molybdenum titanium carbide, a refractory metal alloy that can withstand extreme temperature environments, can also be crack free and dense when produced with electron beam powder bed fusion. Molybdenum (Mo) and other refractory alloys are difficult to process through traditional manufacturing because of their high melting temperature, reactivity with oxygen and brittleness.
 

Headlines

Pacific Sintered Metals Builds New Plant
New RST Alloys
New Wearsurfacing Alloy
P/M Research Program Begun in England
Sound Absorbing Material Made From Aluminum Powder
Gorham to Study Low Pressure HIPing
Fusion Inc. Offers Specialty Metal Powders
New RST Alloys for High Performance Applications
Sherritt Promoting Dispersion Strengthened Nickel for High Temp Uses
Melt Spin Casting Equipment
White House Economist Supports Economic Recovery
September 1 Deadline for Submitting P/M ’84 Papers
New MPIF Materials Standards
Fully Dense P/M Short Course 
P/M Design Clinic
MPIF Fall Management Conference & 39th Annual Meeting
‘83 Who’s Who Underway
MPIF Publishes New Design Guidebook
P/M equipment Directory Published
British P/M Conference
International Symposium on Brasses and Bronzes
People in the News
 

GKN Automotive reports 13 new electrified models from 10 global brands will enter the market shortly.  The new platforms span four major global automotive manufacturers and range from premium four-wheel drive SUVs to small sedans. The innovative technologies on these models include GKN Automotive’s three in one eDrive systems. The eDrive systems bring together advances in electric motors, transmission, traction inverters, software and controls. The first car using GKN Automotive eDrive technology was put into production over 20 years ago.

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, has been awarded five grants through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Manufacturing PA initiative. The initiative awarded $2 million across 29 grants in total and will bring together government, industry and higher education in holistic collaboration to spur new technologies and processes in the manufacturing sector. Funded projects provide student engagement and faculty research opportunities with Pennsylvania manufacturers.

Headlines

Proposed Handgun Bill Contains Restriction Against P/M Usage 
P/M Valve Seat Inserts Upgrade Diesel Engine 
Dixon Sintaloy Buys Third Olivetti Split-Die Compacting Press 
In-Plant P/M Industry Developments 
Knopp Opens Independent P/M Consulting Service 
Dorst Forms English Unit 
Largest Commercial Hot Isostatic Press in Production 
Hardenability Data on Forged Alloy Steel Powders Released 
Welding FiIler Patent Assigned to Hoeganaes 

APMI/MPIF NEWS
Fifth International P/M Conference • Final Call for Papers 
Register Now for Short Course on Quality Control/QuaIity Assurance 
P/M in Ordnance Seminar • October 8 & 9 
MPIF Fall Management Conference at the Greenbriar
P/M Sintering Seminar-October 29 & 30 
P/M Research FaciIity Brochure 
Conference on Rare Earth Cobalt Magnets 
P/M Related Patents 

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Executive Changes at Alcan 
Operations Manager Appointed at TRW’s Supermet Products 
Gray Appointed ASM Technical Director 
Calendar of P/M Events 

The C41 has an increase of 113% of AM parts from the previous year’s 143 (Courtesy Sauber Group)

The 2021 Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen F1 race car, the C41, manufactured in partnership with Additive Industries, Eindhoven, the Netherlands, will take to the track with 304 additively manufactured metal parts, more than doubling the number from 2020’s C39 race car. Twenty-two percent of the parts are titanium alloys, 76% are aluminum alloys, and 2% are stainless steel.  The total combined weight of the metal AM parts is about 33 lbs.

A fire at a factory of one of the world’s leading auto chip makers has added to the troubles of car makers that already have slashed production because of a semiconductor shortage. The fire left a swath of charred equipment in the factory owned by a subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corp. in Hitachinaka, northeast of Tokyo. The company said it would take at least a month to restart the damaged operations.

Renesas said heat from an electrical problem inside a single piece of equipment caused the fire and contaminated clean rooms needed to make semiconductors. It said two-thirds of the chips made at the fire-affected factory were automotive chips. Renesas’s chief executive, Hidetoshi Shibata, said Sunday the impact on global chip supplies would be significant. 

According to Reuters, the company has about 30% of market share for microcontroller unit chips used in cars. Renesas says its customers, mostly auto parts suppliers, will begin to see chip shipments plummet in about a month. Global automakers like Honda, Toyota and Nissan are all assessing the ramifications, and one analyst said they would be “facing a difficult situation.”

Headlines:

1989 P/M Conference Program Selected
Distinguished Service to P/M Award
Metallurgical Industries Gets FAA Approval
Stoody Deloro Sold
Crucible Modernizes P/M Tool Steel Facility
P/M Parts Companies Excel in Quality
International Tungsten Industry Gaining Ground
Gorham Ups P/M Growth Estimate
P/M Parts Handling System 
Tiemissen Devotes Full-Time to Consulting 
International P/M Exhibition in U.S.S.R
MPIF Plans Full ’89 Meeting Schedule
MPIF Industry Development Board Directs P/M Marketing Effort
P/M Splash at SAE Conference
Design Competition Goes International
Who’s Who in P/M Published
People in the News
 

Clemson University has established an $11 million cooperative agreement with the U.S. Combat Capabilities Development Command of the Army Research Laboratory, known as DEVCOM ARL, to create new technologies that will speed up the development of new 3D printed components for the U.S. military’s ground vehicles, air platforms, and munitions.

Clemson University project leaders Srikanth Pilla, Fadi Abdeljawad and Gang Li (left to right) as well as Shunyu Liu and Rahul Rai (not pictured) will drive research from the Clemson Composites Center in Greenville. Photo via Clemson University.

COBRA^® Golf, a leader in golf club innovation, has unveiled its new KING Copper Iron Series, introducing a stunning new copper finish in its popular player’s irons. Manufactured using metal injection molding (MIM) for precise shaping and exceptionally soft feel, each clubhead is also fitted with a Tungsten toe weight for pure shots with added stability on off-center hits. The soft MIM material, combined with a TPU insert (thermoplastic polyurethane) positioned behind the clubface, damps vibrations for a soft yet solid feel at impact that rivals traditional forged irons, even though they are actually MIM processed. The rich new copper finish sets these clubs apart from a visual standpoint.