New ‘liquid smart metal’ can go hard or floppy

Top boffins in Germany and China say they have developed a remarkable new type of metal material which can switch from being strong and hard to soft and squashy at the touch of a button.

“For the first time we have succeeded in producing a material which, while in service, can switch back and forth between a state of strong and brittle behavior and one of soft and malleable,” says the prof. “We are still at the fundamental research stage but our discovery may bring significant progress in the development of so-called smart materials.”

Johnson Matthey warns on rising metals costs

The company, which produces about one third of the catalytic converters used in vehicles worldwide, warned that the prices of rare earth metals were rising sharply.

Neil Carson, chief executive, remained bullish despite the negative market reaction, declaring that the company had seen a return “to strong growth”.

“The drivers that will provide superior earnings growth for the group in our existing markets remain strong,” Mr Carson said.
“We are increasing our investment in research and development in order to target new areas of future growth for our business.”

Metal stock

Wrought Products As a stockist of Molybdenum, Tantalum and other refractory materials we are also able to offer a very reactive and competitive wrought product service.

We stock a wide range of materials in plate, sheet, bar, rod & wire form and can supply a range of standard sizes with a very quick turnaround & Delivery.

If you are interested in buying any of our stock then why not contact us?

Bank Holiday

So Monday 30th May is another bank holiday and we are letting you know in advance that we will be shut.

If there is anything you need or would like information on then drop us a call or an email, before Monday or on the Tuesday 31st.

Enjoy your long weekend!

Gold prices: ‘Lower price beckons’ say RBS

The World Gold Council has published its “Gold Demand Trends” review. It shows that an astonishing 349 tonnes or 63% of world goldjewellery demand (557t) was accounted for by China and India in Q1 2011.

Nick Moore, a gold and silver analyst at RBS comments:  ”If we also add in bar and coin investment, then at a combined 526t these two countries took up 57% of world jewellery+investment. There was also an impressive 129t of official sector buying, dominated by 93t of purchases by the Bank of Mexico during February and March.

“But strip out official sector transactions and the underlying demand for gold in Q1 was an impressive 1,000t, compared with a quarterly average in 2010 of 993tpq and in 2009 of 905tpq.”

What the volcanic ash is doing to aeroplanes

Again its happened, the Icelandic volcano has erupted and caused another ash cloud, and airlines are getting quite freaked out by it. Not as much as last time though!

“They are made of sharp rock fragments that will easily erode plastic,metal and even glass pieces.”

“Volcanic ash contains particles, whose melting point is below engine internal temperature.

“In-flight, these particles will immediately melt if they go through an engine. Going through a turbine, the materials are rapidly cooled down, stick on the turbine vanes, and disturb the flow of high pressure combustion gases.”

“Ash deposits easily absorbs into water and can cause arcing, short circuits and intermittent failure of electronic components.”

As a knock on affect of this the manual outlined how, “Dense ash deposit can clog bleed system filters and may lead to total bleed loss, with associated loss of cabin pressurisation.”

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