Ticalium

Ticalium is a super hard but lightweight aluminium and titanium carbide metal matrix composite designed to increase the strength, hardness and wear-resistance of aluminum.  A patent was applied for by Adal Group Inc in September 2005, following four years of publicly funded research. Ticalium was named by the son of one of the two major shareholders in Adal Group Inc.

Properties
The structure of ticalium gives it excellent wear properties. The cutting and wear resistance of ticalium can be increased by more than 50% at a significantly low reinforcement level.

The typical properties of ticalium composite material from 6xxx aluminium alloy is a hardness of 120 HV, a yield strength of 300 MPa, a tensile strength of 330 MPa and a stiffness of 85 GPa.  These values are about 25% higher than those for the base alloy.

Dr Cem Selcuk, project manager for Adal, said in their September 19, 2005 news release, "Just for comparison with another strong material, white cast iron has a tensile strength of approximately 250 MPa (Mega Pascals)[sic] and is also brittle, whereas ticalium has a higher strength of about 330 MPa together with a greater stiffness while exhibiting greater lightness according to third party testing."

Production
Billets can be cast and then extruded to produce rods, tubes and complex profiles. Products extruded from ticalium can be engineered, sprayed, anodized, welded, painted and finished using existing practices.

Possible applications
 Brake discs and drums (automotive industry) where high wear resistance, light weight and high thermal conductivity are important.
 Brake calipers where improved stiffness will reduce the flexing of brake callipers.
 Automotive pistons.
 Ticalium rail train brakes can result in weight savings, allowing reduced energy consumption and quicker acceleration and braking.
 Motorcycle brake discs where ticalium can provide weight savings and reduced gyroscopic effects during braking through corners for motorcycles.
 Bicycle frames where ticalium extruded tubes with good mechanical properties and surface finish would be beneficial for bicycle frames.

References

Category:Metal matrix composites