Nano-Iron

Iron that is made up of nanoscale crys­tals are far stronger and harder than its traditional counterpart, but the benefits of this "nano-iron" have been limited by the fact that its nanocrystalline structure breaks down at relatively modest tem­peratures. According to Dr. Carl C. Koch, Professor at National Carolina State Uni­versity of materials science engineering who worked on the project, the alloy essentially consists of 1 % zirconium and 99% iron. The zirconium allows the alloy to retain its nanocrystalline structure un­der high temperatures -1,300 degrees Celsius - approaching the melting point of iron. The new alloy is also economically vi­able, since "it costs virtually the same amount to produce the alloy" as it does :0 create nano-iron.