3 ms·

In terms of recyclability, I don't think metallic glass has any advantage over polycrystalline metal. It's much stronger though.

justinator 5y ago
Well if we can’t recycle it does it break down into tiny particles that then become a part of the food chain? If the answer is no then maybe worth a look.
- neltnerb 5y ago
  Huh? We use metal for all kinds of containers. Yes, I think it is better to use metal than plastic when possible (and we can recycle it). Metallic glass and metal are both made from the same atoms.
  - justinator 5y ago
    Right, the line of thinking is there a material that has the advantages of glass (reusable) without the disadvantages(heavy, easy to break, questionable integrity) and without the disadvantages (environmental pollution). Sounds like aluminum would fill this niche to me, although that’s energy intensive to produce.
    - neltnerb 5y ago
      Why try to find one material that fits every application? Steel cans are better for canned goods where the pressure is low and they rely on design more. Aluminum is usually better for cans of soda under pressure where they're stronger. Glass is heavy, but strong in certain compression modes. It's nicely recyclable but does use more fuel to transport. Plastic is lightweight and really I wish we didn't ever start using it except as it is -- a space age high tech super material that deserves better than to be unnecessary packaging. Paper I'd love to see used as much as possible, but it falls apart when wet. Cardboard is better when a bit wet, and is cheap and easily reusable. I don't think we need one answer here, each of these cost different amounts and it depends on the application. What I'd like to see is instead a list of alternatives to every plastic application using metal, glass, paper, whatever it takes.
ganzuul 5y ago
If the melting point can get low enough then we're in business. Press quenching has been developed pretty well for boron steel and should be adaptable for bulk metallic glass in injection molding machines. This would provide an easy route to high volume production. Surprisingly, eutectic systems are resistant to impurities. Perhaps this is why silicate sand glass became a thing in the first place. Aluminum has a problem with oxide dross, and tin cans require high temperature for recycling. I don't know if the tin is recovered, but I do know that it isn't very plentiful.

justinator 5y ago

Well if we can’t recycle it does it break down into tiny particles that then become a part of the food chain? If the answer is no then maybe worth a look.

neltnerb 5y ago
Huh? We use metal for all kinds of containers. Yes, I think it is better to use metal than plastic when possible (and we can recycle it). Metallic glass and metal are both made from the same atoms.
- justinator 5y ago
  Right, the line of thinking is there a material that has the advantages of glass (reusable) without the disadvantages(heavy, easy to break, questionable integrity) and without the disadvantages (environmental pollution). Sounds like aluminum would fill this niche to me, although that’s energy intensive to produce.
  - neltnerb 5y ago
    Why try to find one material that fits every application? Steel cans are better for canned goods where the pressure is low and they rely on design more. Aluminum is usually better for cans of soda under pressure where they're stronger. Glass is heavy, but strong in certain compression modes. It's nicely recyclable but does use more fuel to transport. Plastic is lightweight and really I wish we didn't ever start using it except as it is -- a space age high tech super material that deserves better than to be unnecessary packaging. Paper I'd love to see used as much as possible, but it falls apart when wet. Cardboard is better when a bit wet, and is cheap and easily reusable. I don't think we need one answer here, each of these cost different amounts and it depends on the application. What I'd like to see is instead a list of alternatives to every plastic application using metal, glass, paper, whatever it takes.

ganzuul 5y ago

If the melting point can get low enough then we're in business. Press quenching has been developed pretty well for boron steel and should be adaptable for bulk metallic glass in injection molding machines. This would provide an easy route to high volume production. Surprisingly, eutectic systems are resistant to impurities. Perhaps this is why silicate sand glass became a thing in the first place. Aluminum has a problem with oxide dross, and tin cans require high temperature for recycling. I don't know if the tin is recovered, but I do know that it isn't very plentiful.