In a reversion of the normal passage of technological advances from aerospace to more mundane fields, a revolutionary amorphous or metallic glass alloy called Vitreloy is making its aerospace debut here, after creating a sensation in golf.

Vitreloy golf clubs are already in production; now Cordant Technologies' Howmet unit is exploring applications in aerospace for the alloy's unique mechanical and physical properties. Twice as strong as titanium or stainless steel, and significantly harder than both, the material is thought to have promise for both gas turbine and airframe components.

Howmet is showing the first Vitreloy turbine components it has produced, using a new high-vacuum die-casting process that produces new shapes characterized by very smooth surface finishes and great dimensional accuracy.

Developed at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) , Vitreloy is a combination of zirconium, nickel, copper, titanium and beryllium. Howmet has been licensed to use it for aerospace applications.

Vitreloy differs from conventional engineering metals in its basic atomic structure. Being amorphous, when it cools from the molten state its atoms arrange themselves randomly, rather like window glass. Conventional metals are crystalline in structure, their grain boundaries being their weak link.

Lighter than stainless steel but not as light as titanium, Vitreloy golf club heads are said to absorb less energy and to deform less when they strike the ball, thus transferring more energy to the ball and lengthening the golfer's drive.

Howmet is producing the first Vitreloy aerospace components at its Whitehall, Michigan, facility and is showing examples on stand G2 in hall 4 here.

By Bob Rodwell