Recently, the IBM Institute of Technology in the United States has partnered with researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, and Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. By combining lab experiments with high-precision computational chemistry, they've simulated the creation of new materials and developed two innovative high-polymer materials that are fully recyclable. These breakthroughs could potentially transform industries such as transportation, aerospace, and microelectronics.
According to recent reports from the Physicist Organization Network, these new materials are not only crack-resistant and stronger than bone, but they can also deform and self-heal. They can be completely restored to their original form, and even "transform" into a new polymeric structure, increasing their strength by an additional 50% while becoming super lightweight. The findings were published in the journal *Science*.
Aerospace materials require excellent crack resistance, yet current polymer materials often fall short in this area. They are difficult to recycle, cannot be re-melted, self-healed, or thermally decomposed. As a result, waste is usually sent to landfills. However, the research team has discovered a new "family" of materials with customizable properties, opening up new possibilities for research and application development. The two new materials exhibit unique characteristics, including high hardness, resistance to dissolution, cracking, and self-healing reinforcement.
The new polymeric materials are cost-effective and are formed through condensation reactions that produce water or ethanol. This process is simple and easily adjustable. At 250°C, the polymer recombines via covalent bonds, becoming stronger than bone—but it's also brittle. It remains stable in high-pH water but selectively degrades in low-pH environments, allowing it to return to its original form under the right conditions and reform into new structures. When mixed with carbon nanotubes or other reinforcing fillers, it becomes even stronger when heated, gaining metal-like properties suitable for use in aircraft and vehicles.
At room temperature, another type of polymer behaves like elastic glue. The solvent is embedded within the polymer network, giving it higher strength than most polymers while maintaining flexibility, similar to a rubber band. If it cracks, the pieces can be reassembled and chemically bonded within seconds. This property makes it ideal for recycling in neutral environments and opens up applications requiring reversible reorganization.
Researchers believe this non-traditional approach will lead to many unprecedented new materials and accelerate the development of advanced materials. “Although significant progress has been made in high-performance material research, the design of polymer materials still lacks several fundamental properties,†said James Hai, an advanced organic materials scientist at IBM Research. “Innovation in new materials is essential for addressing global challenges and developing next-generation products.†He added, “Now, we can use computational models to predict how molecules will react in chemical processes, create new polymer structures, and help meet the growing demand for complex, high-performance materials in fields like transportation, microelectronics, and advanced manufacturing.â€
MainType of Rail Clamps
*South/North America
1. Application:
Used for fixing crane rail tracks at port and factories.
2. Size
No.62, No.114, No.103, No.106, No.120
3. Material
Mild steel
|
Chemical composition |
C |
Si |
Mn |
P |
S |
|
≤0.20% |
≤0.35% |
≤1.4% |
≤0.045% |
≤0.045% |
|
|
Mechanical properties |
Tensile strength |
Yield strength |
Hardness (HB) |
|
|
|
370-500MPa |
≥235MPa |
≥120 |
|
|
4. Manufacture method
Hot forging
5. Mark
Manufacture ID, Product ID
6. Coating
Plain, zinc plated, Hot dip galvanized.
7. Supply reference
1) USA
2) Chile
*Africa
1. Application:
Used for fixing crane rail tracks at port and factories.
2. Size
K.R. type A, K.R. type B, K.R. type K
3. Material
Middle carbon steel
|
Chemical composition |
C |
Si |
Mn |
P |
S |
|
0.42-0.5% |
0.17-0.37% |
0.5-0.8% |
≤0.035% |
≤0.035% |
|
|
Mechanical properties |
Tensile strength |
Yield strength |
|
|
|
|
≥690MPa |
≥483MPa |
|
|
|
4. Manufacture method
Hot forging
5. Mark
Manufacture ID, Product ID
6. Coating
Plain, zinc plated, Hot dip galvanized.
*Europe
1. Application:
Used for fixing crane rail tracks at port and factories.
2. Size
M10, M12, M12 LA, M12 LAS
3. Material
Middle carbon steel
|
Chemical composition |
C |
Si |
Mn |
P |
S |
|
0.42-0.5% |
0.17-0.37% |
0.5-0.8% |
≤0.035% |
≤0.035% |
|
|
Mechanical properties |
Tensile strength |
Yield strength |
|
|
|
|
≥600MPa |
≥355MPa |
|
|
|
4. Manufacture method
Hot forging
5. Mark
Manufacture ID, manufacture month and year
6. Coating
Plain, zinc plated, Hot dip galvanized.
7. Supply reference
1) German
Rail Clamp,Railway Track Clamps,Railroad Rail Clamps,Mth Rail Clamp
TAICANG ZHONGBO RAILWAY FASTENING CO., LTD. , https://www.railfastener.com