CMF moves toward market after passing temperature tests

The researchers at North Carolina State University also used experimental data to develop a model for predicting how variations in the CMF would affect its performance. Their findings have been published in ScienceDirect.

CMF armour cuts weight and adds protection

Simulated pool fire testing is an experimental test that materials must pass in order to be considered for use in manufacturing rail tank cars that transport hazardous materials. In simulated pool fire testing, a panel of material is exposed to a temperature of at least 816^oC on one side for 100 minutes. A suite of thermal sensors rests on the other side of the panel. If those protected sensors register a temperature of 427^oC or higher at any point during the 100 minutes, the material fails the test.

For their tests, the NC State researchers used panels made of steel-steel CMF, which is a foam consisting of hollow, metallic spheres - made of materials including carbon steel, stainless steel or titanium - embedded in a metallic matrix made of steel, aluminium or other metallic alloys. According to NC State, Steel-steel CMF indicates that the spheres and the matrix were both made of steel.