Jan_AMP_Digital

A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 8 METALS | POLYMERS | CERAMICS superior ballistic performance in addi- tion to flame retardancy, dynamic de- flection, and structural requirements in a lightweight package. The LASA helmet series includes

two styles—the full-cut AC914 helmet for combat operations and the high- cut AC915 assault helmet for special operations, which allows greater situa- tional awareness. The material, which provides ballistic protection, is one component of the ultra-lightweight hy- brid composite that allowed Morgan’s developers to reduce areal density of the helmet shell by 30%. As a result, the full-cut design weighs only 1.2 kg, while the high-cut model weighs just over 1 kg. This lightweight design offsets the burden of attachments such as night vision goggles and increases comfort and freedom of movement. morgan- advancedmaterials.com, dsm.com.

Meteoroid image. Courtesy of NASA, ESA, M.A. Garlick (space-art.co.uk), University of Warwick, and University of Cambridge. METEORITE MAGNET IS RARE-EARTH FREE Researchers from Tohoku Univer-

period of billions of years. Until recently, it was impossible to produce the mag- nets artificially in a short time due to the extremely slowdiffusion rate of elements around the formation temperature. Now, the team reports producing the magnet by using high atomic diffusivity at low temperatures, when crystallizing from the amorphous state. The effect is like travelling in a time machine—the time scale for magnet formation is reduced from billions of years to just a couple of days. www.tohoku.ac.jp/en. LIGHTWEIGHT PLASTIC HELMET PROTECTS SOLDIERS DSM Dyneema, the Netherlands, recently collaborated with Morgan Advanced Materials, UK, to develop a major application for Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology in combat hel- mets. LASA helmets reportedly feature

sity, Japan, have succeeded in produc- ing a completely rare-earth free, high- quality FeNi magnet. Since the 1960s, it has been widely known that small amounts of FeNi magnets are included in natural meteorites (in an extreme equi- librium state) formed during a cooling

BRIEFS

ELIX Polymers, Spain, created a natural fiber reinforced acryloni- trile butadiene styrene (ABS)—ELIX ECO ABS-NF thermoplastic. Com- pany sources say it is well suited for injection molding applications and specific extrusion processes, delivering an aesthetic value to final parts. The material can be pro- cessed without having to modify machines and offers a number of key benefits including high stiff- ness, heat resistance, low molding shrinkage ratios, low emissions, and weight reduction compared to glass fiber reinforced ABS. elix-polymers.com

Morgan’s LASA AC914 helmet with Dynee- ma Force Multiplier Technology. Courtesy of Morgan Advanced Materials.

A new study by researchers at Texas A&M University, College Station, and Los Alamos National Laboratory, N.M., has led to a new principle to control the macroscopic thermal expansion response of bulk materials, including obtaining zero thermal expansion metals. The key to obtaining a tailored thermal expansion coefficient is the alignment of the alloy’s atoms to harness the natural thermal expansion and contraction at the atomic level. tamu.edu, lanl.gov.