The F-22 Raptor, a stealth fighter aircraft from Lockheed Martin, first flown in 1997. Titanium alloy (principally grade 5, Ti 6-4) makes up around one-third of the aircraft. Hot isostatic pressing was utilised on large cast parts, such as the canopy deck and wing side-of-body, to minimise porosity and so enhance strength to weight and reliability.
Around 350 parts, one-quarter of the aircraft by weight, is made up of resin transfer moulded (RTM) carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composite. High performance carbon fibres are used, such as T700 for lower cost parts, T800 for higher strength parts and T1000 for ultrahigh strength applications. Examples include the fuselage frame, doors, wing spars and honeycomb sandwich panels. Advanced RTM resin systems for these type of applications include epoxy and bismaleimide.
The canopy consists of two sheets of polycarbonate (PC), sandwiched between two layers of glass, fusion bonded in an autoclave and drape formed. Indium-tin-oxide is vacuum deposited onto the canopy to reflect radar waves (scatters radio waves in various directions so as not to be detected by radar), which gives it a golden colour tint. Image Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
Earthic by Silestone (Cosentino) is a solid surface material for counter tops and cladding made with 30% recycled material. With a maximum of 10% silica, it contains recycled glass, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyester, bio-based polyurethane resin (bio-PUR) and Dekton fragments (sintered stone). Additionally, it’s manufactured with 99% recycled water and 100% renewable energy.
Earthic by Silestone (Cosentino) is a solid surface material for counter tops and cladding made with 30% recycled material. With a maximum of 10% silica, it contains recycled glass, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyester, bio-based polyurethane resin (bio-PUR) and Dekton fragments (sintered stone). Additionally, it’s manufactured with 99% recycled water and 100% renewable energy.
Jamie Oliver Flavour Shaker, 2007, manufactured by William Levene, features a twin-shot injection moulded PC/PET container, with TPC elastomer grip; and alumina ball for crushing the ingredients like a mortar.
Jabro end cutters by Seco Tools, designed especially for milling composites, are produced in solid tungsten carbide (WC) and the cutting tip vacuum deposition coated with synthetic diamond. Image by Seco Tools.
Anti-slip stair nose on the London Underground by AATI, in cast nickel bronze with embedded silicon carbide (SiC) particles for added grip and durability.
A high performance carbon fibre reinforced silicone carbide composite sandwich panel. It is a complex and high temperature manufacturing process, involving the forming of the carbon fibre and infiltration with molten silicone, which reacts to form the silicone carbide matrix.
High-precision ring manufactured from high-purity alumina by isostatic pressing, followed by machining to ensure precise dimensions, prior to sintering.
Mobile phone cover, featuring steel with two layers of colour produced by physical vapour deposition (PVD), which is laser etched to produce a graphic visual effect. Aluminium titanium nitride (AlTiN) provides the black, masking a layer of silver chromium nitride (CrN) below.
Mobile phone cover, featuring steel with two layers of colour produced by physical vapour deposition (PVD), which is laser etched to produce a graphic visual effect. A top layer of zirconium carbonitride (ZrCN) provides the blue colour, and is selectively removed to reveal the gold coloured zirconium nitride (ZrN) layer below.
Schott Nextrema glass ceramic sheet. It is available in a range of colours, including transparent, translucent white, opaque white, tinted, translucent blue-grey and opaque grey. Due to its robustness at very high temperatures, thermal shock resistance and impermeability to gases, it is used in a range of demanding industrial as well as domestic applications, for things like heating a lighting (sauna, IR-heating), cooking appliances (toasters, grills, microwave), and cover panels (such as for heating elements). Image Schott.
Siemens glass ceramic cooktop panel, made with Schott Ceran, revealing the glowing heater element below. Transparency allows for a user-friendly design, such as displaying functionality and illuminated controls.
Spot Material is a database of materials for sustainable design, curated by Rob Thompson. Compare properties, carbon and end of life, find better alternatives and discover new material innovations. Browse all materials
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