FOUR INTERESTING MATERIALS FOR 2025
The following materials, still at an early or mid technological readiness level, can be prepared and tested in-house for preliminary R&D work or dissemination purposes, employing a metallurgy lab (5 kN universal testing machine with small punch test addition + small tube furnace + modified 3D printer for injection molding + standard lab equipment) worth as little as 5k euros:
- Fe-18Cr-8Ni-2Mn-1Cu-0.1N (austenitic stainless steel): automotive applications;
- Fe20Cr20Ni20Mn20Co20 (Cantor high entropy alloy): similar to austenitic steel, space applications;
- 70% PLA + 20% PHB + 10% limonene as plasticizer (bioplastic): packaging applications;
- PLA with 2% graphene nanoplatelet (conductive polymer): electronics applications.
There are no non-standard risks associated, so any qualified operator should be able to process the materials and execute the tests by following checklists for safety and for the reliability of results.