Floating metal composite holds promise for marine applications

A team of US researchers have developed a new metal matrix composite so light that it can float on water.

According to the group,  the material - which could potentially be used used to make unsinkable boats - also has potential automotive applciations, where lightweight and heat resistance could be used to help improve fuel economy. 

Although syntactic foams have been around for many years, this is the first development of a lightweight metal matrix syntactic foam. It is the work of a team of researchers from US company Deep Springs Technology (DST) and the New York University (NYU) Polytechnic School of Engineering.

Their magnesium alloy matrix composite is reinforced with silicon carbide hollow particles and has a density of only 0.92g/cm³, compared with 1.0g/cc of water. Not only does it have a density lower than that of water, it is strong enough to withstand the rigorous conditions faced in the marine environment.