ASM International Introduces HTPro Insert for AM&P Magazine

ASM International (ASM), the world’s leading resource for materials information, today announced the development of HTPro, a new quarterly insert for its Advanced Materials & Processes (AM&P) magazine. HTPro is the new official voice of ASM’s Heat Treating Society (HTS) and will provide reliable, up-to-date heat treating and thermal processing technical information.

Jet engine to power 1000 mph car

The Bloodhound Project, an international education initiative focused on a world land speed record attempt, will be equipped with a Rolls-Royce (London) EJ200 jet engine in conjunction with a custom designed hybrid rocket to propel the car to over 1000 mph (1600 kmh). Rolls-Royce is also providing financial and technical support for the project.

Polymers replace platinum in fuel cells

A new type of polymer membrane could replace expensive platinum in alkaline batteries and fuel cells. “We have tried to break this paradigm of tradeoffs in materials (by improving) both the stability and the conductivity of this membrane at the same time, and that is what we were able to do with this unique polymeric materials design,” says Michael Hickner, associate professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State University, University Park.

Tata Steel opens French plant to heat treat 108-meter train rail

Tata Steel Europe, France, has built a new $16.5 million heat-treatment facility in Lorraine for the production of new harder-wearing 108-meter rail. An induction furnace heats the rails to 950°C, and compressed air then cools them quickly. The facility will allow the company to manufacture longer lengths of “super-hardened” rail for the first time.

Materion develops investment casting for aluminum-beryllium alloys

Materion Brush Beryllium & Composites, a Materion Corporation business, Mayfield Heights, Ohio, announces  investment cast AlBeCast aluminum beryllium products for the aerospace, defense, and precision industrial equipment markets. AlBeCastR 910 is a ternary Be-Al-Ni alloy with a high specific modulus, good ductility, and reasonably good strength. AlBeCastR 920 is an aluminum beryllium alloy containing Ag, Co, and Ge.