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What is Stainless Steel Mesh?

Sun, 09 Jun 2013 22:27:28 +0000

Weaving technology has been known to humans for millenia. Ancient Egyptians employed looms to make a variety of textiles from wool and flax. Only relatively recently, however, has the use of woven metal mesh found its way into numerous applications.

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Lithium Alloys in Aerospace

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 22:20:46 +0000

While discussion of lithium is often overwhelmingly focused on the battery industry, a niche market for aluminum-lithium alloys has developed in the aerospace sector.

From 1998 until the conclusion of NASA's space shuttle mission program, third generation external tanks constructed mainly of the aluminum-lithium alloy Al-2195 provided weight savings of approximately 7000lbs (3175kgs).

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Is a Platinum & Palladium Shortage Looming?

Sun, 26 May 2013 08:16:42 +0000

The markets for both platinum and palladium are heavily dependent upon the automotive industry. This is because platinum group metals (PGMs) are excellent catalysts.

Both platinum and palladium are used in the production of catalytic converters, which reduce harmful emissions of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrocarbons from gas and diesel engines.

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Educational Videos About Silver

Sun, 19 May 2013 08:05:32 +0000

While doing some research on silver this week, I stumbled across a series of videos that provide a great background on production of the metal and the silver market.

The eight videos (available here on youtube) are produced by Endeavour Silver Corp. and cover everything from the mining and extraction of silver to consumption and demand. There is also a good discussion of silver as a tool of investment.

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World Indium & Germanium Forum

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:02:48 +0000

I was at the World Indium & Germanium Forum in Kunming, China last week to hear some interesting presentations on the two minor metals.

Much of the talk regarding germanium this year was focused on whether the current price is reflective of market demand and, more importantly, the what the impact of high prices is having on downstream end-users.

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MMTA Annual Conference: Indium

Sun, 05 May 2013 12:54:33 +0000

Among the presenters at this year's MMTA International Minor Metal's Conference was Brian O'Neill, Indium Manager at AIM Specialty Materials. Mr. O'Neill provided an effective summary of driving forces behind the current market for indium metal.

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MMTA Annual Conference: Rhenium

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:49:52 +0000

Just back from the Minor Metals Trade Association annual International Minor Metals Conference, this year held in Washington DC.

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What is Tungsten Radiation Shielding?

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 01:21:38 +0000

While lead has traditionally been the metal of choice for x-ray and gamma radiation shielding, lead's long-term negative effects on human health and the environment has encouraged the development of alternative options.

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Metals of Champions: Aluminum

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 21:34:04 +0000

When Adam Scott putted in for birdie at August late on Sunday he was holding a Scotty Cameron Futura X Prototype putter.

Although the exact design specs have yet to be released,< the Futura X Prototype appears to follow the design pattern of Scotty Cameron's Kombi-S, or Big Sur S, putter, which Scott had previously been using.

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Cobalt, Magnetism and Guitars

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 20:07:06 +0000

While cobalt may be better known for its use in batteries and super-alloys, it has recently also found its way in to the music industry.

Guitar string designer and manufacturer Ernie Ball Inc. has developed strings that are made from the most magnetically active metal - cobalt.

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