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The Metals & Alloys Blog is the place for conversation and discussion about ferrous and nonferrous metals, metalworking processes, and specialty alloys. Here, you'll find everything from application ideas, to news and industry trends, to hot topics and cutting edge innovations. This blog is inspired by the Metals & Alloys newsletter from GlobalSpec, which you can subscribe to here.
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A Matter of Mind over Metal

Posted October 12, 2007 8:14 AM

Some talk of metal shortages, others talk about metals and metal processing practices of the future. Do you agree with futurist Michio Kaku and others that aluminum will be the "Metal of the Future?" What about high-strength lightweight steels, or other alloys? If we widen our thinking, could the Material of the Century be a metal-matrix or other type of composite? What about the promise of Nanometals — now just in their infancy? Please prognosticate on metals' prospects.

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Metals & Alloys, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Metals & Alloys today.

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chtank
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Houston, Texas
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#1

Re: A Matter of Mind over Metal

10/12/2007 11:15 PM

Will this also include carbon composites and fullerenes? There is also an amuminum/carbon fiber composite now. Also, I was under hte impression that aluminum was a metal of now, not the future. It seems, the last I heard, that aluminum is one of the most plentiful of metals with aluminum being ±7% of the earth's crust.

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chtank
U V
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#2

Re: A Matter of Mind over Metal

10/14/2007 1:00 AM

Your right chtank, ceramic and tungsten whiskers in aluminum have been around a while. Aluminum is a mature now technology. There is pleanty left to learn but much is aready here.

Brad

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Moto
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#3

Re: A Matter of Mind over Metal

11/20/2007 12:20 PM

With well over 70% of the stuff ever produced, still in service somewhere in the world; aluminum is already the most widely re-used ductile in production. Rather unusual for a consumer / waste generating based economy. I don't think there's any doubt whether it shall continue to be the most "re-used metal of the future".
TexasCharley
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#4
In reply to #3

Re: A Matter of Mind over Metal

11/20/2007 8:27 PM

Umm, Gold?

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