ScienceDaily reports:
Researchers have demonstrated a new metal matrix composite that is so light that it can float on water. A boat made of such composites will not sink despite damage to its structure. This first lightweight syntactic foam also holds promise for automotive fuel economy because of its heat resistance. The magnesium alloy matrix composite is reinforced with silicon carbide hollow particles and is strong enough to withstand rigorous conditions faced in the marine environment.
Significant efforts in recent years have focused on developing lightweight polymer matrix composites to replace heavier metal-based components in automobiles and marine vessels. The technology for the new composite is very close to maturation and could be put into prototypes for testing within three years. Amphibious vehicles such as the Ultra Heavy-lift Amphibious Connector (UHAC) being developed by the U.S. Marine Corps can especially benefit from the light weight and high buoyancy offered by the new syntactic foams, the researchers explained.
The unsinkability sounds like a great feature. Perhaps this could be employed on probes to Europa, where weight considerations are even greater than usual?
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 13 2015, @05:42PM
Further, a common use for Magnesium is the anode that is sacrificed for anodic corrosion protection. Magnesium structures in sea water might just dissolve? Nice overview here:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/chemical/corrosion.html [gsu.edu]
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/chemical/corrosion.html#c2 [gsu.edu]