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Advanced material combines lightness and thermal resistance, ideal for extreme environments and cutting-edge technologies
A group of researchers from Pohang University of Science and Technology (Postech), in South Korea, created a new type of super metal that resists temperature extremes like never before recorded.
The material, a nickel-based high-entropy alloy (HEA), maintains its strength and flexibility from cryogenic temperatures of −196 °C to a scorching 600 °C.
The discovery was announced through an official statement from the university, which highlighted the possible ceiling lampçions in sectors that face severe thermal conditions, such as aerospace, the automotive industry and power generation.
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Material adaptable to extreme temperatures
The new supermetal has been nicknamed “Hyperadapter”, in reference to its ability to adapt to different temperatures without losing performance.
The research team says this thermal resistance makes the material ideal for use in rocket engines, jets, power plant turbines, car exhausts and industrial pipelines.
According to Professor Hyoung Seop Kim, who led the project, the development represents a significant advance in the field of materials. “The Hyperadaptor concept represents a breakthrough in the development of next-generation materials with consistent mechanical behavior, even under extreme conditions”, explained the researcher.
Limitations of traditional metals
Conventional metals tend to be brittle when cold or lose strength when heated.
This limits their application in environments with large temperature variations. For this reason, they are typically optimized to operate within a narrow thermal range.
The new alloy overcomes these limitations by delivering nearly constant performance at different extremes. It is designed based on high-entropy alloys, which differ from traditional metals in that they do not have a single dominant element.
Instead, they are composed of five or more elements in similar proportions, which leads to a more stable internal structure.
Nanoscale reinforcements ensure performance
The stability of the new material is attributed to the presence of nanoscale L1₂ particles. These structures reinforce the alloy, preventing its deformation.
Scientists explain that these particles are evenly distributed, helping the alloy deal with thermal stress efficiently.
"They act as reinforcements that inhibit deformation, while the internal structure of the alloy accommodates stress through consistent sliding behavior, regardless of temperature.”, stated the official statement from POSTECH.
Professor Kim said the results obtained so far show that the HEA developed by the Korean team sets a new standard for metallic materials. “Our HEA overcomes the limitations of existing alloys and establishes a new class of temperature-insensitive materials,” he said.
Industry interest is already evident
The research has attracted the attention of strategic sectors. The aerospace industry, for example, is constantly looking for materials that can withstand extreme temperature variations during space and hypersonic flights.
The new alloy could offer an effective solution to this challenge.
In the automotive industry, components such as exhaust systems face high temperatures and can benefit from the stability of the new supermetal.
Furthermore, sectors such as power generation and pipeline transportation also operate under demanding thermal conditions and are natural candidates for the use of the material.
"The alloy's ability to maintain stable performance under such conditions can greatly enhance safety and efficiency in these demanding environments.”, the team highlighted in the statement.
Global competition in supermaterials
The development of super-strong materials has been an area of intense study in many parts of the world.
Recently, Chinese researchers have created a stainless steel that has become up to 10.000 times more resistant to fatigue.
In the United States, scientists have developed a copper alloy capable of withstanding 800 °C for more than 10.000 hours without losing its mechanical properties.
These advances demonstrate a global trend toward materials that can revolutionize the performance of industrial systems, vehicles and structures in extreme environments.
The supermetal developed by the South Korean team enters this scenario as a promising candidate for diverse uses — from the factory floor to space.
