Alternatives To Nickel and Tungsten Raw Material Processing
The world has depended upon nickel and tungsten as valuable raw materials for centuries, and they remain central to many industries and products today. Nickel and tungsten provide a range of beneficial characteristics, including good strength and conductivity, durability, and ease of machining and fabrication. Due to these characteristics, they have been a key resource for the production of automobile parts and tools, among other items.
However, nickel and tungsten are not without their drawbacks. Increasingly stringent environmental regulations have made their processing and recycling more challenging, while their prices remain volatile. Furthermore, their use can lead to problems with corrosion, wear, and fatigue, among other issues. In light of these challenges, businesses and designers have increasingly been looking for alternatives for nickel and tungsten raw material processing.
One of the most promising alternative materials for nickel and tungsten is powder metallurgy, or PM. Generally comprised of steel, brass, aluminum, or bronze, PM components offer several benefits over conventional nickel and tungsten components. PM components are typically lighter, less expensive to produce, easier to form into complex shapes, and easier to recycle. Furthermore, PM components are usually more resistant to wear, fatigue, and corrosion than their nickel and tungsten counterparts, resulting in products that have longer life cycles.
In addition to PM components, a variety of non-metallic materials can also be used instead of nickel or tungsten. High-performance polymers like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) offer both low friction and excellent corrosion resistance, making them an effective alternative for applications where nickel and tungsten are traditionally utilized. Similarly, ceramics such as alumina and zirconia are also a viable option due to their light weight and excellent wear, friction, and corrosion resistance.
In some cases, the use of more traditional materials alongside newer, innovative materials can also provide an attractive alternative to nickel and tungsten processing. For instance, high-strength alloys like aluminum bronze can be combined with other forms of stainless steel or titanium for strength and corrosion resistance. This combination of metals can provide excellent properties at a much lower cost and increased strength in comparison to nickel and tungsten.
Finally, certain forms of carbon can also be used in nickel and tungsten raw material processing applications. These materials may include graphite, carbon-graphite composites, or diamond and other non-metallic forms of carbon. Generally exhibiting both extremely high strength and extended fatigue life, carbon and graphite products can often achieve similar or superior performance compared to products made with nickel or tungsten.
Clearly, there are several alternatives to nickel and tungsten raw material processing. In most cases, the proper selection of alternative materials will depend on the specific requirements of the desired application. As the costs and availability of nickel and tungsten continue to fluctuate, and environmental regulations become increasingly stringent, a wide range of options are available to businesses and designers in order to optimize performance and reduce costs.
