Ann: Agreement - Rio Tinto collaborate on alloy for 3D printing, page-28

g'day posters...

I've been trying to get my head around what BNNT is and what it could do for AlSn HOT Al.

I suppose you have all discussed this thoroughly but as I'm still a very new holder of 3DA I hope you'll tolerate a couple of posts and any foreknowledge that you might have can then correct my misunderstandings.

Firstly this scientific/metallurgical breakthrough have a history going back to 1995. Yet it seems only in recent years that BNNT has found suitable applications - I've come to this thought after noting an absence of news or reports and breaking cover from the science fields to industrial development.

Secondly there are several manufacturers established for BNNT. One, eponymously named https://www.bnnt.com/company , seems to be the original with https://epicbnnt.com/our-company/ and a couple of other companies now making manufacturing a priority.

Thirdly the properties of BNNT are truly amazing, including an apparent ability to "self-repair" following breakages due to pressure/tension. Applications range through capture of neutrons (gasp - truly amazing) to https://epicbnnt.com/industries/#electronics --- so versatile and flexible.

Fourthly, due to the astonishing properties BNNT is likely to become a dramatic change agent in sciences and metallurgy. BNNT is vastly superior to Carbon NTs in terms of use, strength, heat tolerance etc.... there seems to be no competition. For 3DA to be using this material in additive manufacturing will give 3DA the edge it needs to exceed other 3D material products - until of course it becomes more commonly used. More on this in a moment.

Fifth, it is apparently inexpensive to manufacture and so with several companies making BNNT there may be rapid uptake, but the application in metallurgy may be less simple and more expensive (i.e. I don't know at this stage and only guessing - plz correct me) and so may require specialised knowledge and/or much experimentation to get it to work in the alloy. Different methods may cause differing results(?).

Lastly, I watched 3DA along with TTT and AL3 for around 18 moths before settling on 3DA. Each using different methods of additive manufacturing, its only my guess but it seems to me that the 3DA methods is the most versatile and capable of the greatest advances in methods and materials.

anyway, I just thought I'd make my presence and thoughts out there for discussion and rebuttal.

GLTAH. My researches are not so accurate so dyor.