#heat resistant alloys

[superbmaterials]

China Alloy Steel, Alloy Steel, wholesale Alloy Steel, Alloy Steel manufacturers stainless steel manufacturers, stainless steel suppliers, stainless steel factory, China stainless steel price, Chinese suppliers https://superbmaterials.com/

[vamshi11]

Exploring MS Plates: Varieties, Applications, and Their Design Impact with Top Brands from SteelonCall

Diverse Varieties of MS Plates

Mild Steel (MS) plates, celebrated for their robustness and adaptability, come in various types to suit different industrial and construction needs:

Standard MS Plates: These versatile plates are the go-to choice for general applications. Their balanced mix of strength and flexibility makes them ideal for structural supports, machinery parts, and general fabrication tasks.

High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) Plates: Designed to offer enhanced strength without compromising weldability, HSLA plates are perfect for demanding applications. They are commonly used in heavy machinery, bridges, and other high-stress environments.

Corrosion-Resistant Plates: Coated or treated to withstand environmental wear, these plates are used in areas prone to moisture and chemicals. They are ideal for outdoor installations and marine applications where durability against corrosion is crucial.

Quenched and Tempered Plates: Through specific heat treatments, these plates gain exceptional hardness and impact resistance. They are utilized in heavy-duty machinery and equipment that require superior strength and durability.

Wide-Ranging Applications of MS Plates

The applications of MS plates span a diverse array of sectors, reflecting their integral role in modern industry and construction:

Construction: In construction, MS plates are essential for structural components like beams, columns, and reinforcements. They provide the necessary stability and strength for buildings, bridges, and infrastructure projects.

Manufacturing: The industrial sector relies on MS plates for machinery and equipment fabrication.

Automotive Industry: MS plates are used extensively in automotive production for vehicle bodies and chassis. Their strength and formability are key to producing safe and reliable automotive parts.

Shipbuilding: In the maritime industry, MS plates are fundamental in constructing ship hulls and decks. 

Agricultural Equipment: MS plates are utilized in the production of agricultural machinery. Their toughness and ability to withstand heavy loads make them ideal for farming equipment.

Impact of MS Plates on Design Innovation

MS plates are not only functional but also inspire creative design solutions:

Architectural Innovation: In contemporary architecture, MS plates are often used for their sleek, industrial aesthetic. They feature prominently in building facades, decorative elements, and structural highlights, contributing to modern architectural styles.

Custom Fabrication: The flexibility of MS plates allows for custom designs and fabrications. From bespoke furniture to artistic installations, their ability to be cut, welded, and shaped supports unique and tailored design solutions.

Facade Solutions: For building facades, MS plates can create striking visual effects while providing durability. Various treatments and finishes offer designers flexibility in achieving distinctive and functional exterior designs.

Versatile Design Options: The range of finishes and treatments available for MS plates enables their use in diverse design contexts. This adaptability allows for integration into both interior and exterior designs, meeting varied aesthetic and functional requirements.

Premium MS Plates Available at SteelonCall

At SteelonCall, we offer a selection of high-quality MS plates from renowned brands, ensuring that you receive the best materials for your projects:

Vizag Steel: Renowned for its superior quality and reliable performance, Vizag Steel’s MS plates are ideal for a range of applications, providing both strength and durability.

SAIL: SAIL offers a wide array of MS plates known for their consistent quality and performance, suitable for various industrial and construction needs.

Jindal: Jindal’s MS plates are celebrated for their exceptional strength and resilience, making them a preferred choice for demanding applications in construction and manufacturing.

Conclusion

MS plates are a fundamental component in numerous industrial and construction applications, valued for their strength, versatility, and adaptability. At SteelonCall, we provide top-quality MS plates from leading brands like Vizag Steel, SAIL, and Jindal, complete with test certificates to ensure authenticity and performance. Whether you need MS plates for construction, manufacturing, or innovative design projects, our range of products meets your highest standards.

For the best prices and exceptional service, contact us at 08062212000 or visit our website at steeloncall.com. Discover how our premium MS plates can elevate your projects and meet your needs with excellence.

#MSPlates #SteelPlates #DesignInnovation #ConstructionMaterials #TopSteelBrands #SteelonCall #QualitySteel

[aluminiumrepair]

Unveiling the HTS 2000 Brazing Rod: Exceptional Quality for Superior Metal Joining

Brazing is a critical process in metalworking, renowned for its ability to join metals with high precision and strength. Among the many options available, the HTS 2000 brazing rod stands out for its remarkable qualities. This article delves into what makes HTS 2000 an exceptional choice for various applications, highlighting its unique features and advantages.

Introduction to HTS 2000 Brazing Rod

HTS 2000 brazing rod is a high-performance metal joining solution designed to deliver reliable and durable results. Known for its superior strength and ease of use, HTS 2000 brazing rod has become a preferred choice for both professional welders and DIY enthusiasts.

Ease of Use and Application

One of the standout features of HTS 2000 brazing rod is its user-friendly nature. It is designed to be easy to work with, even for those who are new to brazing. Some of the reasons for its ease of use include:

No Need for Flux: HTS 2000 does not require a separate flux. This simplifies the process and reduces the need for additional materials, making the job cleaner and more efficient.

Compatibility with Standard Equipment: HTS 2000 can be used with standard oxy-acetylene torches and other common brazing equipment. This makes it accessible for a wide range of users, from professional welders to hobbyists.

Minimal Preparation: The rod's formulation minimizes the need for extensive surface preparation. Users can achieve strong, reliable joints with minimal pre-treatment of the base metals.

Cost-Effectiveness

While HTS 2000 brazing rod offers premium performance, it is also cost-effective. Its durability and strength contribute to long-lasting joints, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements. This can result in cost savings over time, making HTS 2000 an economical choice for both small and large-scale projects.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

HTS 2000 brazing rod is manufactured with environmental and safety considerations in mind. It is designed to produce minimal fumes and pollutants during the brazing process, contributing to a safer and cleaner working environment. Additionally, the rod's formulation ensures that it does not release harmful chemicals, making it a safer choice for users.

The HTS 2000 brazing rod stands out as a top-tier choice for metal joining applications, offering a combination of strength, ease of use, and versatility. Its unique composition, low melting point, and compatibility with standard equipment make it an excellent option for a variety of industries, from automotive repair to plumbing. The rod’s cost-effectiveness and safety features further enhance its appeal, making it a valuable tool for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. Whether you’re working on a complex repair or a simple project, HTS 2000 brazing rod delivers the exceptional quality and performance you need for reliable and long-lasting results.

[bloggerpost2w322]

High-Speed Steel T42 Round Bar: Precision and Performance Redefined

High-speed steel (HSS) T42 round bars are revered in the realm of tooling and machining for their exceptional hardness, toughness, and heat resistance. Specifically designed for applications demanding high cutting speeds and prolonged tool life, T42 round bars represent a pinnacle in modern tool steel technology. This blog delves into the unique properties, diverse applications, and significant advantages of HSS T42 round bars, showcasing why they are indispensable in achieving precision and efficiency in machining operations.

Understanding High-Speed Steel T42 Round Bars

High-speed steel T42 is a tungsten-based HSS alloy, known for its robust combination of elements that enhance cutting performance and tool longevity. It typically contains elements such as:

Tungsten (W): Enhances hardness and wear resistance.

Molybdenum (Mo): Improves strength and heat resistance.

Vanadium (V): Promotes fine grain structure and toughness.

Cobalt (Co): Enhances red hardness and overall tool life.

The composition and heat treatment of T42 round bars result in a material capable of withstanding high temperatures generated during high-speed machining without losing hardness or dimensional stability.

Key Properties of High-Speed Steel T42 Round Bars

Exceptional Hardness: T42 round bars typically exhibit hardness levels ranging from 63 to 67 HRC (Rockwell C Scale), ensuring sharp cutting edges and resistance to wear.

High Wear Resistance: The alloy composition provides superior resistance to abrasion and deformation, crucial for continuous and high-speed machining operations.

Excellent Heat Resistance: T42 round bars maintain hardness and toughness even at elevated temperatures, reducing thermal deformation and ensuring consistent performance.

Good Machinability: Despite its high hardness, T42 steel maintains moderate machinability, allowing for intricate and precise tool designs.

Applications of High-Speed Steel T42 Round Bars

High-speed steel T42 round bars find widespread application across various industries:

Metal Cutting Tools: Used for manufacturing drills, end mills, reamers, and taps due to their high hardness and wear resistance.

Automotive and Aerospace Industries: Essential for machining high-strength alloys and exotic metals.

Tool and Die Making: Employed in forming dies, punches, and extrusion tools where precision and durability are critical.

General Engineering: Used in gear cutting, milling cutters, and broaches for efficient metal removal and high-speed operations.

Advantages of Using High-Speed Steel T42 Round Bars

Extended Tool Life: T42 round bars offer significantly longer tool life compared to conventional tool steels, reducing downtime and tool replacement costs.

High Cutting Performance: They enable high-speed cutting operations with superior surface finish and dimensional accuracy.

Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of machining applications across various industries, providing reliable performance in demanding environments.

Cost Efficiency: Despite initial higher costs, T42 round bars deliver long-term savings through improved productivity and reduced maintenance.

Conclusion

High-speed steel T42 round bars exemplify the pinnacle of tool steel technology, offering unmatched hardness, wear resistance, and heat resistance for high-speed machining applications. Their ability to maintain sharp cutting edges and withstand extreme temperatures makes them indispensable in achieving precise and efficient machining operations across diverse industries. Understanding the unique properties and applications of T42 round bars empowers manufacturers and toolmakers to optimize processes, enhance productivity, and achieve superior results.

[electronalytics]

Heat-resistant Aluminum Alloy Wire Market

[medicaldevicesindustrynews]

Unleashing the Potential of Oxygen-Free Copper: Revolutionizing High-Performance Applications

Oxygen-free high-conductivity copper is another name for oxygen-free copper. A class of wrought copper alloys known as oxygen-free copper is refined using an electrolytic process and exhibits excellent conductivity. In particular, electrolytic refining is required to reduce the oxygen concentration to or below 0.001%. Makers are focused on item testing to make sure that production programs,…

[sobwh]

Sixaluminium - Devasa+

Aluminum extrusion is a process used to create parts with specific cross-sectional profiles by pushing heated alloy material through a die. This process allows for the creation of various shapes and sizes, making it a versatile method for manufacturing aluminum profiles. Despite its importance, many people may not even notice the prevalence of aluminum extrusions in their homes. In Turkey aluminium manufacturer, companies like Aluminance Aluminum Industry and Trade Inc. and Ş. are leading manufacturers of aluminum extrusion profiles and composite panels. These companies play a crucial role in providing high-quality aluminum extrusion products for various industries, including construction. The construction industry greatly benefits from the use of aluminum extrusion profiles. Aluminum construction are lightweight, strong, and corrosion-resistant, making them ideal for construction applications. They are commonly used in windows, doors, and other architectural elements due to their structural integrity and cost benefits. Additionally, aluminum extrusions offer sustainability advantages as they are recyclable and can be repurposed for other projects . The use of aluminum extrusions in construction also contributes to faster construction timelines, as they can be easily fabricated and installed. Overall, aluminium systems profiles have become an essential component in the construction industry, offering a range of benefits for architects, builders, and homeowners alike. In Turkey aluminium extrusion manufacturers like Ş. have played a significant role in supplying the construction industry with high-quality aluminum profiles. These profiles are used in various applications, including aluminum systems for windows, doors, and facades . The 40-Series Aluminium Extrusion Profile produced in the EU is a popular choice for construction pr aluminium veranda ojects due to its quality and durability. The use of aluminum extrusion profiles in construction not only enhances the aesthetics of buildings but also provides structural stability and longevity. With the continued advancements in aluminum extrusion technology, the construction industry can expect further innovation and development in the utilization of aluminum profiles for various architectural and structural applications.

[chaosticbraindo]

Kaijune - day 4: sharp 🤖🐔

Gigan, the kaiju killer

a kaiju emerged from outer space that has broken the control laid upon it by its creator, this biomechanical life form regrew its body over its metallic skeleton while keeping the combat related modifications.

made from an exceptionally strong alloy of unknown origins, Gigan is nearly impervious to all froms of damage including extremely high resistance to Gojira’s atomic fog and it’s destabilization effect (though not to the extends of its breath).

aside from the bladed limbs, chainsaw chest, and metallic spikes all over its body, gigan possesses some unique abilities such as shooting and adjusting the concentration of a counter reality bending heat beam from an eye on its forehead, and the power to fade between realms to a certain extent which seems to be the Kaiju’s natural ability.

this fading allows gigan to ignore certain constrains of the law of this world, allowing it to defy gravity and move freely in all directions without the need to use physical force, limited teleportation, and somewhat phase through objects if move slowly.

while the teleportation power can only move the kaiju for a distance of 20 meters or less, it is enough for Gigan to dodge as well as reduce the impact of any physical attacks made on it.

mentally, the kaiju has shown signs of high intelligence and sadistic tendencies towards others which has formed under the combination of an artificial intelligence and the original biological conscious of Gigan after the kaiju regained control of its body.

After an encounter with Gojira, Gigan was fatally injured by a barrage of radioactive breath and fled the fight before vanishing soon after, presumably fully fled back into the alternate dimension.

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Team develops predictive tool for designing complex metal alloys that can withstand extreme environments

Cooks love stainless steel for its durability, rust resistance and even cooking when heated. But few know the secret that makes stainless steel so popular. It's the metal chromium in stainless steel, which reacts with oxygen in the air to form a stable and protective thin coating for protecting the steel underneath. These days, scientists and engineers are working to design alloys that can resist extreme environments for applications such as nuclear fusion reactors, hypersonic flights and high-temperature jet engines. For such extreme applications, scientists are experimenting with complex combinations of many metals mixed in equal proportions in what are called multi-principal element alloys or medium- to high-entropy alloys. These alloys aim to achieve design goals such as strength, toughness, resistance to corrosion and so on. Specifically, researchers seek alloys resistant to corrosion that can happen when metals react with oxygen in the atmosphere, a process called oxidation. These alloys are typically tested in a "cook-and-look" procedure where alloy materials are exposed to high-temperature oxidation environments to see how they respond.

Read more.

[usafphantom2]

Ability to intercept an SR-71: Victor Belenko states the Mig-25 cannot intercept the SR-71 for several reasons: The SR-71 fly too high and too fast; the Mig cannot reach it or catch it. The missiles lack the velocity to overtake the SR-71 and in the event of a head on missile fire (The Golden BB), the Guidance system cannot adjust to the high closure rate of the SR-71.

The Mig-25 has a jam proof radar but cannot distinguish targets below 1,640 feet due to ground clutter. The radar was so powerful it could burn through jamming signals by approaching bombers.

Upon dismantling the Mig-25, the data was analyzed by the Foreign Technology Division of the Air Force at Dayton, Ohio. There were many surprises:

 

1The Mig had been manufactured in February 1976 and thus was one of their latest most sophisticated production aircraft.

2Transistor circuitry was not used but instead the Soviets relied on vacuum tubes for most of their electronics. The Soviets reasoned the vacuum tubes were less affected by EMP waves in the case of nuclear attack; were more resistant to temperature extremes and they were easy to replace in remote airfields where transistors may not be readily available if repairs were needed.

3Welding was done by hand.

4Rivet heads were exposed in areas not critical to parasitic aerodynamic drag.

5Pilot forward vision was highly obstructed.

6With huge Tumansky R-15D-300 engines the Mig was considered almost a rocket.

7Pilots were forbidden to exceed Mach 2.5. There was a total of three engine instruments and the airspeed indicator was redlined at 2.8 Mach.

8Above Mach 2.8 the engines would overheat and burn up. The Americans had clocked a Mig-25 over Israel at Mach 3.2 in 1973. Upon landing in Egypt, the engines were totally destroyed. We did not understand that the engine destruction was inevitable.

9The combat radius is 186 miles.

10Without using afterburner; staying at optimum altitude and not maneuvering, the Mig can fly in a straight line for 744 miles.

11The plane was so heavy at 64,200 pounds, that according to early rumors Soviet designers had to eliminate a pilot ejection system. However this was disproved.  Most MiG-25s used the KM-1 ejector seat. The last versions used an early variant of the famous K-36 seat. The speed record for the fastest successful ejection (Mach 2.67) is held by a KM-1 equipped MiG-25.

12Maximum operational altitude: Carrying two missiles, 78,740 feet (for maximum two minutes duration); carrying four missiles, 68,900 feet is maximum.

13Maximum altitude of missiles: 88,588 feet.

14Maximum G load: With full fuel tanks 2.2 G's is max; with near empty fuel tanks, 5 G's is dangerous. The Mig-25 cannot turn inside a U.S. F-4 Phantom fighter!

15The plane was made of steel alloy, not high temperature titanium, although strips of titanium was used in areas of high heat concentration.

16In a tight turn the missiles could be ripped from the wings. thesr71blackbird.com/Aircraft/Stori…

@Habubrats71 via X

[aamputation]

An old BNHA character I never shared with the world. I have bits and pieces of a what-if variation of BNHA wherein Izuku gains a Quirkless mentor via a school mentorship program when he's still attending Aldera.

~2022

GEAR INFO

Kinetic Absorbtion and Reutilization System (KAARS). Automatically absorbs kinetic energy with every impact recieved, whether it be from falls, enemy hits, etc. Energy can either be stored or released along suit pathways to enhance physical capabilities of the wearer, ie. increasing speed, strength, or lessening strain from taken damage. When system is maxed out, KAARS automatically glows. Brightness can be calibrated using the BC3s’ HUD AI system.

Bodysuit: Kevlar poly nano-weave with DNA-nullifying nanotech. Engineered to be slice and stab proof, bulletproof, heat and cold resistant, water-proof, corrosion resistant by way of slow auto-repairing properties.

External armor plating: versatile, ultra strong metal alloy (lightweight, flexible like rubber, strength and resilience of tungsten) micro weave Kevlar-hemp-linen poly blend. 

Gloves: same material as the suit encoded biometrics (can’t be removed by anyone but wearer) 

Boots: same metal alloy as the suit reinforcement combined with the same material as the Armor plating for maximum efficiency.

Mask: the same base material as external armor and is both physical protection and a filtration system, even functioning as a short term underwater rebreather. It works in conjunction with the BC3s, syncing to allow seamless communication if the wearer is working in a team. It also has mute functions, allowing no sound to escape so only team members synced to the communication loop can hear the wearer, and defaults to a voice distorter. This works by modulating the produced sound waves slightly, producing a warped distorted sound. The distortion effect will continue to work even if the mask is damanged, although there will be an increase in electric crackles along with the distortion. It is biometrically encoded and cannot be removed by anyone who hasn't been added to the base code.

Identity Concealing Technology

A bone conduction communication and audio system work in conjunction with facial recognition and identity concealing technology. (BC3s) They trick the eye and cameras by changing the way light refracts across the top half of the wearers face while not obscuring their field of vision. When active, it provides a heads up display (HUD) that only the user can see. The interface includes heat vision, night vision, and infrared modes. It also serves as a way to keep track of the connected suit's status, including the amount of stored kinetic energy.

BACKGROUND

FAMILY

Grew up blue collar. Childhood home was an older two story duplex, rented.

Single father (Peter Jones), alive and happily retired in a community, waiting for his wife to be released from prison.

Genuinely good person, loves his kids and his wife.

His Quirk is a physical mutation: literal shark teeth.

Mom (Sara Jones neé Davies) was arrested for villainous activity (as Gaslight, the Charismatic Villain) when Blake was 8. She remains in prison to current day.

Her Quirk is an Emitter type of Reality & Perception Manipulation. Basically, any word or phrase spoken can be used to manipulate another person's reality, memory, or perception. A literal manifestation of the manipulation technique known as "gaslighting."

Mom loves her family more than anything, which is why she turned to crime to help support them.

She taught all her kids illegal things before she was arrested and her grey morals influenced Blake strongly later in life.

3 Siblings!

Gabriel Jones, older brother. Works as a Wall Street trader. Alive and well, they get along okay but have massively different political opinions.

Quirk is an Emitter type: minor reality alteration, "probability modification".

Charlotte Jones, older sister. Private school teacher. Alive and healthy, they get along very well, especially so when Blake chooses to join the Aldera mentorship program.

Quirk is a mutation: sharp teeth like dad, but not multiple rows or frequent tooth loss/growth. Will rapidly regrow lost teeth, though.

Charlie Jones, younger twin brother. Academic. Alive, doing okay. On disability due to injury that left him paraplegic. He has similar intellect but his skews less towards hard science and more towards philosophy and psychology. Currently finishing his Psy.D he had put on hold due to his injury and subsequent recovery.

Quirk is an Emitter type with minor mutations: Reality manipulation, "speak into existence", manifesting. Also has sharper than average teeth like older sister, but it is secondary.

OTHER FAMILY

Grew up with a present extended family; maternal uncle was close to Blake. Former vigilante, retired.

Quirk is minor thought manipulation, Inception-like.

EARLY LIFE

Blake had a few close friends and a fairly normal childhood. Their Quirkless status inhibited their number of friends to some extent. Despite being diagnosed Quirkless, they also have fairly sharp teeth like their dad, sister, and twin. It's minor enough that it can only be called a genetic trait rather than a mutation quirk.

Their high intellect was noticed from a young age, as well as their twin's, and only increased as time went on.

Participated in gymnastics during elementary school years.

Bullied in middle school, lost most of their friends. Stopped caring about other's perceptions, outwardly cultivated their now-signature fox-like grin and cheery expression as default.

Got into engineering and computers.

Slowly stopped doing gymnastics and switched to running and martial arts.

Forcibly maintained a cheery disposition, despite cultivating some seriously grey morals and a big sadistic streak. Questioned if they were sociopathic. Twin brother yelled at them for it. Never questioned it again.

Public school career, joined track and field team. Distance runner, pole vaulter.

Senior year, got into tons of colleges, all with full ride scholarships. Some athletic scholarships as well.

Began vigilante work in late High School. They were bored and not challenged enough intellectually, so they turned to vigilantism to pass the time, to play around with their own perception of justice. They discovered they were quite good at it.

LATER LIFE

In college, they began building support gear and doing subsequent research into computer science with a focus on hacking.

Transitioned from distance running and pole vaulting to parkour. Restarted martial arts.

Finished undergrad summa cum laude and immediately started grad school.

Continued vigilantism, started getting recognized by the local heroes. Decided to turn their natural lucky streak into the basis of a career but understood that improving their skills was and is essential.

Mastered four different martial arts and multiple melee weapons.

Mastered hacking.

Started learning marksmanship.

Improved current support gear, focused on kinetics and AI tech.

Completed Masters, moved to doctorate.

At this point, their career as a vigilante is fairly well known amongst the local underground heroes as someone who isn't afraid to eschew morals when necessary.

Continued improving their support gear.

Became part of a small underground hero group (The Advantage Hero: Oracle [although she was often pulled away to more critical cases due to her quirk, they never actually met in person], The Enduring Hero: Adamant, a former limelight hero, The Electrifying Hero: Voltaic, who is mostly limelight, and Contractor, an underground support hero) and began getting asked to join larger scale operations by the USHC [United States Hero Commission].

Finished Doctorate, primed by the USHC to go legal but also received an offer from I-Island to pursue a second doctorate as well as a massive research grant.

Torn for several months between both options, ultimately chose to get the second doctorate.

Vigilantism is put on hold, but their physical conditioning continues. Always intended to pick it back up after completing their time on I-Island.

Finishes doctorate on I-Island, receives extremely generous job offer from HAI Japan branch. Accepts.

Moves to Japan, manages to learn the language.

After a year, is promoted to lead engineer and secondary innovator of HAI's R&D department.

Continues working for HAI for 3 years, continues improving their own fitness, capabilities, and support gear despite not being active in Japan.

Decides to join the Mentorship program, ultimately meets Midoriya Izuku.

When I had originally morphed this character into a BNHA universe one, it was with the intent of using them in a piece of fanfiction that will probably never see the light of day, hence their story ends where Izuku's begins.

[wuxiaphoenix]

Worldbuilding: This is a Drill

Never underestimate “old”. Some things are old for a very good reason. They work.

Horseshoe crabs have lived visibly unchanged for over 300 million years. Sharks are an age-old “fish predator�� shape. Books have reliably kept and passed down information for over a millennium; we’re still investigating remedies in Bald’s Leechbook.

One of the oldest complex tools we have is the drill. What’s interesting about that is that we’re not sure which function of it as a tool came first. Humans being humans, odds are we did both at once.

The best-known modern function is that of creating a hole through, or partly through, another object. What we do with the hole afterward is up to your imagination. Stringing neat things as jewelry goes back as long as Homo has been sapiens; likely longer, check what anthropologists have dug up lately. Fastening things together, drilling out things we don’t want (knots in wood, bad teeth, etc.) or just putting holes in things for the heck of it are all common uses.

(Never underestimate the human ability to do things Because. We poke things. It’s a species thing.)

But when we drill things, we also create friction. Modern drills employ several methods to try and reduce it, everything from lubricants to timed bursts to heat-resistant gold oxide drill alloys. If all we want is a hole, generally we want as little heat to damage the material as possible.

In some ancient tools, though, making heat was the entire point. I’m talking about the original fire drill.

Now, when it comes to making fire, I am firmly in Camp Matches. I’ve also worked around Bunsen burners enough that I’m okay with flint and steel. But we’ve only had steel for, oh, say around 2500 years, plus or minus depending on where you were on the planet. Matches have only been around a few centuries. And if you’re really in dire straits - cast up on a deserted island formed from a coral atoll, or something - you might not even have flint.

In which case you’d better have ingenuity and patience. Given a bit of materials and time, you can drill fire into existence.

Note, have absolutely all your fire materials and very fine tinder set up in advance, and protect everything from the wind as much as possible. It’s going to take a long time, you’ll only get one ember at a time, and it’ll be a cold night sleeping if you miss.

So. Have everything you can think of set up, sit down, and drill. Be prepared for hours of pulling your bit back and forth.

No, longer than that.

Longer.

Eventually, it works. And if you get it to work once you will understand why ancient hunter-gatherers would set up fire-pouches and horns to carry a hot ember with them at all times. Because augh.

So. That’s a drill. And it will almost definitely be useful in your world, for one reason or another.

Fun fact: one of the first human uses of diamonds was industrial, diamond-tipped drills to make fine holes in pearls! They were imported from India to drill pearls in China in the Yuan Dynasty. Cool!

[aikoiya]

LoZ - The Master Sword of the Goddess

Ya'll... I am so flippin' proud of how well this came out. Cause it's beautiful! ❤️

Now, my theory is that the Master Sword isn't truly complete. Not yet anyway.

Like, it isn't in its intended form. The one it was designed for.

And this is what I think it'd look like:

Like, dude! This is amazing!

Though, I feel like the wings of the guard are too big for a longsword. Would be better suited to a claymore.

I also loved both gems I made, but I think this version is the winner because it means that I can use this one for something special to help the wielder.

You may not have noticed, but the gem is actually 2 fused together.

Anyway, I've been thinkin' about the materials that this version of the sword might be made of & I think I have a decent list.

To start off:

2 Goddess Plumes (which appear to be crystalline) for the guard.

Timeshift Stones, which the original sword's guard was primarily made of, so it'll be melted down to make a new one. (The Timeshift Stone of the guard & the Ocarina of Time resonated, which is what sent Time's mind forward into the future.)

Star Fragments from New Hyrule.

The above items melted down & made into an alloy with iridium & other materials (possibly even Dusk Relics, which might just be Mexican Blue Amber) to create the wings.

The 3 Sacred Flames. Used to kindle a new flame. A white-gold one.

Green Chalcedony to inspire strength, courage, & insight. It also has connections to love. (Every type of love, not just romantic.) Then magically infused to draw out those traits.

Aqua Chalcedony symbolizes tranquility & harmony. Has a soothing, gentle energy, & promotes emotional balance, helping to alleviate stress, anxiety, & negativity. It encourages inner peace & provides protection, making it well-suited to being the companion to heroes who may need a bit of extra support in trying times. Then magically infused to draw out those traits.

This would allow Fi to better aid her wielders emotionally even as she sleeps.

As for the metal itself:

* will appear beside alloys that I made up.

Chromium from chromite ore.

Star Pieces for the gold & whetstone. (Something to keep in mind is that there are 3 different colors of Star Fragment: the ones from the Era of the Wild, Gold & Red, & the ones from New Hyrule, which are Purple.)

*Mourniron = Typically found deep underground where fierce battles had taken place. The best kind can be found in Bogs as they tend to have trace amounts of silicon in them, which ensures better flexibility.

- *Allaysteel = Mourniron made into steel. Was once used by the Sheikah to make weapons that would help them in dispatching with enemy Poes & laying their souls to rest. The practice of creating it has long since been forgotten by the time of Wild's Era. Which is partly why there were so many Poe Souls in the Depths. Wild was the first to begin ferrying them to the Bargainer's Statues in 15,000 years. It is effective against Poes, Undead, & other such enemies.

Light Dragon Horn to melt down & fold into the metal to make the blade.

1 claw from one blessed by twilight. (A claw from Twi's wolf form.)

4 Master Ore from Lorule.

Iridium = A metal in the platinum group. Alloying it with other metals imparts durability & heat resistance. It's also nearly gold-tier in non-reactivity. Can only be found from comets, meteorites, & asteroids. Essentially, it's a space metal & would be heavily associated with stars. And while Iridium is a silvery-white color with a slight yellow-ish cast, under certain magically induced circumstances, it's cast instead changes to something in the range of lavender, purple, a/o indigo. Also, above the melting point, ignition results in a violet flame.

Stellite = Cobalt-chromium alloys. A very tough, as well as wear, corrosion, & heat resistant material.

*Grieving Steellite = A cobalt-chromium-Allaysteel alloy.

*Remembrance Corundite = A grieving steellite & diamond alloy.

Ferrochromium = An iron-chromium alloy.

*Mourningstar Corundite = Corundite & iridium alloy with Light Dragon Horn & Twilight's Claw.

*Master Corundite = Master Ore & Mourningstar Corundite alloy.

---

Anyway, it'd likely need to be reforged in an actual forge as, in ancient times, the forge was considered a holy place. If nothing else, the blade might get blessed.

At the same time, I see it needing to be made in lava due to the high melting point of a few of the ingredients.

I think that I'd have it to where Clove (LU's Four) & Legend switch between using the FD mask. This would automatically elevate their own bladesmithing abilities by quite a decent degree. Though, I can definitely tell that Legend would still have things to learn.

Like, things that might necessitate a 3 Oracles game. One where Farore is the Oracle of Mysteries, her book being the gateway for Legend, gaining a more intimate understanding of Runic magic, which could lead to infusion magic.

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As an aside, I get the feeling that in this state, it'd change forms depending on the Link. Like, it'd become most suited to their particular size & fighting style.

As in, for Time, it'd become a two-handed sword. Legend, it'd take on runes that could channel that magic into the blade, turning him into something of a spellsword.

Similarly, if there were a Link who were Sheikah & trained as such, it'd take on a more katana or ninjatō-like shape. And Gerudo? A scimitar.

Hell, for Wind, it might turn more into a cutlass.

For the most part, it will stick to the shape of a sword of some sort.

Ergo, Clove (LU Four) would have zero reasons to avoid using it.

LoZ Linked Universe Masterlist

[reasoningdaily]

Children still mining cobalt for gadget batteries in Congo

A CBS News investigation of child labor in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo has revealed that tens of thousands of children are growing up without a childhood today – two years after a damning Amnesty report about human rights abuses in the cobalt trade was published. The Amnesty report first revealed that cobalt mined by children was ending up in products from prominent tech companies including Apple, Microsoft, Tesla and Samsung. 

There's such sensitivity around cobalt mining in the DRC that a CBS News team traveling there recently was stopped every few hundred feet while moving along dirt roads and seeing children digging for cobalt. From as young as 4 years old, children can pick cobalt out of a pile, and even those too young to work spend much of the day breathing in toxic fumes.

What's life like for kids mining cobalt for our gadgets?

So, what exactly is cobalt, and what are the health risks for those who work in the DRC's cobalt mining industry?

What is cobalt?

Cobalt – a naturally occurring element –  is a critical component in lithium-ion, rechargeable batteries. In recent years, the growing global market for portable electronic devices and rechargeable batteries has fueled demand for its extraction, Amnesty said in its 2016 report. In fact, many top electronic and electric vehicle companies need cobalt to help power their products.

The element is found in other products as well.

"Cobalt-containing products include corrosion and heat-resistant alloys, hard metal (cobalt-tungsten-carbide alloy), magnets, grinding and cutting tools, pigments, paints, colored glass, surgical implants, catalysts, batteries, and cobalt-coated metal (from electroplating)," says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than half of the world's supply of cobalt comes from the DRC, and 20 percent of that is mined by hand, according to Darton Commodities Ltd., a London-based research company that specializes in cobalt.  

Health risks of chronic exposure 

According to the CDC, "chronic exposure to cobalt-containing hard metal (dust or fume) can result in a serious lung disease called 'hard metal lung disease'" – a kind of pneumoconiosis, meaning a lung disease caused by inhaling dust particles. Inhalation of cobalt particles can cause respiratory sensitization, asthma, decreased pulmonary function and shortness of breath, the CDC says.

The health agency says skin contact is also a significant health concern "because dermal exposures to hard metal and cobalt salts can result in significant systemic uptake." 

"Sustained exposures can cause skin sensitization, which may result in eruptions of contact dermatitis," a red, itchy skin rash, the CDC says.

Despite the health risks, researchers with Amnesty International found that most cobalt miners in Congo lack basic protective equipment like face masks, work clothing and gloves. Many of the miners the organization spoke with for its 2016 report – 90 people in total who work, or worked, in the mines – complained of frequent coughing or lung problems. Cobalt mining's dangerous impact on workers and the environment

Some women complained about the physical nature of the work, with one describing hauling 110-pound sacks of cobalt ore. "We all have problems with our lungs, and pain all over our bodies," the woman said, according to Amnesty.

Moreover, miners said unsupported mining tunnels frequently give way, and that accidents are common.  

Miners know their work is dangerous, Todd C. Frankel wrote late last month in The Washington Post. 

"But what's less understood are the environmental health risks posed by the extensive mining," he reported. "Southern Congo holds not only vast deposits of cobalt and copper but also uranium. Scientists have recorded alarming radioactivity levels in some mining regions. Mining waste often pollutes rivers and drinking water. The dust from the pulverized rock is known to cause breathing problems. The mining industry's toxic fallout is only now being studied by researchers, mostly in Lubumbashi, the country's mining capital."

"These job are really desired"

Despite the dangers and risks of working as miners in the cobalt industry, at least of the some miners in the Congo "love their jobs," according to Frankel.

"When I talked to the miners there, none of them want to lose their jobs or give up their jobs. They love their jobs," Frankel said Tuesday, speaking on CBSN. "In a country like Congo, mining is one of the few decently paying jobs to be had there, and so they want to hold onto these jobs."

They also want fair treatment, decent pay, and some safety, "and they would love for their kids to not work in the mines," he said.

"It's a poverty problem," Frankel said. "These parents I talked to – they don't want their kids working in these mines. The problem is that their school fees – schools cost money, and you know, food costs money, and they sort of need their kids to work in there."

Poverty also drives children into the mines instead of school – an estimated 40,000 of them work in brutal conditions starting at very young ages.

The thousands of miners who work in tunnels searching for cobalt in the country "do it because they live in one of the poorest countries in the world, and cobalt is valuable," Frankel wrote in the Washington Post article.

"Not doing enough" 

CBS News spoke with some of the companies that use cobalt in their lithium-ion batteries. All of the companies acknowledged problems with the supply chain, but said they require suppliers to follow responsible sourcing guidelines. Apple, an industry leader in the fight for responsible sourcing, said walking away from the DRC "would do nothing to improve conditions for the people or the environment."

Read company responses here

Amnesty said in November, however, that "major electronics and electric vehicle companies are still not doing enough to stop human rights abuses entering their cobalt supply chains." 

"As demand for rechargeable batteries grows, companies have a responsibility to prove that they are not profiting from the misery of miners working in terrible conditions in the DRC," the organization said. "The energy solutions of the future must not be built on human rights abuses."

An estimated two-thirds of children in the region of the DRC that CBS News visited recently are not in school. They're working in mines instead. 

CBS News' Debora Patta spoke with an 11-year-old boy, Ziki Swaze, who has no idea how to read or write but is an expert in washing cobalt. Every evening, he returns home with a dollar or two to provide for his family.

"I have to go and work there," he told Patta, "because my grandma has a bad leg and she can't."

He said he dreams of going to school, but has always had to work instead.

"I feel very bad because I can see my friends going to school, and I am struggling," he said.

Amnesty says "it is widely recognized internationally that the involvement of children in mining constitutes one of the worst forms of child labour, which governments are required to prohibit and eliminate."

[best-element-poll]

(the 3 most voted elements will advance onto the next round)

since there are a lot of unfamiliar faces I'll introduce each one under the cut:

(disclaimer: most if not all of these descriptions are copy-pasted or rephrased from Wikipedia. tell me if I miss anything or get anything wrong.)

YTTRIUM is used in the red component of CRT TV color displays, in gas mantles for propane lanterns, to make synthetic garnets, and in some cancer treatments. It is also a key ingredient in a type of superconductor.

ZIRCONIUM is refractory, hard, and resistant to chemical attack. It is often used as an opacifier (to make something opaque) for ceramic materials and is sometimes used in space vehicles where heat resistance is needed. You may know him from the ZrO2 that is used for your laboratory crucibles. personally, I love crucibles. i will be kind of mad if zirconium gets no votes. crucible lovers unite.

NIOBIUM is considered a technology-critical element. It is used mostly in alloys, and even in various superconducting materials, which are widely used for MRI scanners. and also they called this thing columbium for a while, and then confused it with tantalum. I'm glad they settled on niobium.

MOLYBDENUM is apparently an important mineral for the human body! Apparently, you should eat around 45 micrograms per day. Wow!!!!!!!!!

TECHNETIUM is the lightest element whose isotopes are all radioactive! It is often used in nuclear medicine, or generated as a fission product. They also took real long to find this guy, with 6 erroneous discoveries.

RUTHENIUM is also involved in many nuclear fission reactions, sometimes as a product of fission of uranium or plutonium. It's also used a lot in electronics due to its non-volatility.

RHODIUM is a precious metal primarily used in catalytic converters for cars. It is also used for various other industrial processes. It is also used in jewelry, e.g. sometimes white gold is plated with rhodium to give it a shiny layer.

PALLADIUM is primarily used in catalytic converters for cars. Palladium is also used in electronics, dentistry, medicine, hydrogen purification, chemical applications, groundwater treatment, and jewelry. Palladium is also a key component of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells.

SILVER: it's everywhere. it's even a whole color on its own. I've been using the word silver to describe the colors of every other element here. it's probably going to win.

CADMIUM: apparently this thing is toxic and carcinogenic despite having great potential in anticancer drugs. ah well. it was also used in batteries scarily recently.