Ultra-Hard Materials Show Promise for Industrial Applications

January 10, 2005

Industrial operations such as cutting, grinding, chopping, drilling, and milling require ultra-hard tool surfaces to withstand severe environmental conditions encountered during use. Materials with the combined characteristics of high hardness and good oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures are needed to realize greater efficiencies in high-speed machining operations. 

With support from ITP, Iowa State University's Ames Laboratory is developing boron aluminum magnesium (BAM) materials that show exceptional resistance to wear, superior to commercially available hard materials, including polycrystalline diamond! 

Read the fact sheet (PDF 53 KB) Download Acrobat Reader to find out how this material is contributing to longer component lifetimes, and reduced energy consumption and costs for industry.