Immature technology?

Malc · 27 Apr 2006 at 22:36

I'm writing an essay on Metal Matrix Composites (don't let that put you off

) and basically I've come across the term "Immature Technology" as a disadvantage for the use of this class of material.

So my question is, why exactly is this a disadvantage?

I dont need a complex answer just a few short general reasons, it can be for any technology as i'm assuming all immature technologies have similar problems

I was thinking because not enough would be known about the frature mechanisms and so forth, thus making the material potentially unsafe in an engineering environment?

Also maybe because the fabrication of the product would be more expensive due to it being less efficient (like what we see in CPU production)

Any other suggestions/corrections are appreciated

KaHn · 27 Apr 2006 at 22:38

Malc said:

What type of metals composites are you looking at?

KaHn

Malc · 27 Apr 2006 at 22:41

Its just a general 2000 word essay on MMC's so nothing in particular

I'm just going to comment on types, fabrication, uses etc

woodsy2k · 27 Apr 2006 at 23:11

It is quite strange looking at information on these types of materials for the first time, but at the same time very interesting. It seems as though materials are amde for a specific purpose such as to have very high tensile strength or a massive heat capacity/resistance etc. As for the term "immature technology" im not really sure. Perhaps it is linked to the fact that these materials have a specific job and nothing else?

Like you said about CPU fabrication... I take it you mean the growth process of semiconductors? Well those are made in a different way to MMC's it would seem. Semiconductors are made in such a way the atoms naturally sit in a crystal lattice that is formed due to the structure of the atoms that make the material.

If i find out what the term means i shall post it here for you mate

Woody

EDIT: Found this, might help?

http://technology.aiac.ca/roadmap_v2/Mfg_full.pdf

/Search goes on

Moby-Dick · 27 Apr 2006 at 23:29

MMC's were all the rage when I was at Uni 10 years ago!

( Materials Eng. @ Swansea )

as far as immature tech goes... I'd have classed Wifi untill pretty recently as immature technology - ie it does so much less than it promises.

1pudding1 · 28 Apr 2006 at 00:23

Immature hence :

- unreliable in new and unusual/untested environments
- unknown characteristics on every type of possible failure
- expensive to manufacture / repair etc...
- manufacturers unwilling to risk any of their products failing and the cost using the new materials when other products suffice atm
- public unaware of the material which may reduce confidence in it?Depends on its uses obviously.

Hope some of them help.

Scam · 28 Apr 2006 at 00:47

If anyone is trying to set standards then immature technology would be a nightmare as its constantly improving. You'll get a situation where people set standards, then the technology is improved and the standards have to be updated again and again. Its a moving target.

Malc · 28 Apr 2006 at 01:29

1pudding1 said:
Immature hence :

- unreliable in new and unusual/untested environments
- unknown characteristics on every type of possible failure
- expensive to manufacture / repair etc...
- manufacturers unwilling to risk any of their products failing and the cost using the new materials when other products suffice atm
- public unaware of the material which may reduce confidence in it?Depends on its uses obviously.

Hope some of them help.

Yeah thats the kind of thing I was on about, cheers

AJUK · 28 Apr 2006 at 07:31

I have a dgeree in structural engineering which included a materials module but I must confess that I have never heard of metal matrix composites? Any links?

1pudding1 · 28 Apr 2006 at 10:14

No worries. Did a degree is Aero Engineering which included materials for 4 years, so obviously did a fair bit of composite work, and they're just a few of the points I can remember from a few years ago. Another problem with new materials is the common reluctance of 'mature' people/companies/methodologies to adopt brand new practices, and seem stuck in their ways.

Downsy · 28 Apr 2006 at 10:31

Moby-Dick said:
MMC's were all the rage when I was at Uni 10 years ago!

( Materials Eng. @ Swansea )

as far as immature tech goes... I'd have classed Wifi untill pretty recently as immature technology - ie it does so much less than it promises.

I was Materials Eng at Swansea 10 years ago. Who are you? (Email in trust if you want to take it off board)