In a successful attempt, engineers have manufactured a material that is now being hailed as the world’s first metal which cannot be cut. The material, named Proteus, cannot be cut using either angle grinders, drills, or high-pressure water jets. While an angle grinder or drill might cut through the outer layer of a Proteus plate, it will not be able to go through or harm the embedded ceramic spheres, which uses destructive vibrations to blunt any cutting tools.
A new artificial material effectively cannot be cut, holding out the promise of lightweight but cut-proof bike locks, security doors and protective clothing. Its inventors embedded ceramic spheres in aluminium foam to create a material that couldn’t be cut with angle grinders, power drills or water jet cutters. Rather than just being a hard surface that resists external pressure, the material turns the force of the drill or cutting mechanism back on itself, as the ceramic spheres create vibrations that disrupt the external force.
A 5-inch grinder disc has little more than an inch of cutting depth before you run into the body of the grinder itself, so you can’t cut straight through. Angle grinders can cut through stone, concrete, metal and other strong materials, so while working with it you have to be extra careful as it can easily cut through human flesh and bones. An angle grinder is primarily used for cutting and rough grinding, whereas the die grinder is a rotary tool used for precision work.
Especially when an angle grinder can serve as a very dangerous weapon if they’re confronted by brave members of the public…. So for the last few years, we’ve been in a situation where increasing numbers of, thieves are using compact and powerful portable angle grinders to steal whichever bike they choose, irrespective of how its been secured. First came the SkunkLock, a bicycle lock that doesn’t aim to prevent an angle grinder cutting through its shackle, but instead to severely punish the thief wielding the angle grinder by releasing a cloud of noxious, vomit inducing gas into their face, preventing them from actually stealing the bike. What we really need is a regular looking bike lock that an angle grinder is unable to cut.
That’s what makes the marketing claim behind the pre-release Altor SAF Lock so compelling: It’s the world’s first angle grinder-proof bike lock. At 13.7 pounds, it’s twice the weight of a Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini U-Lock and about as heavy as a 5-foot Kryptonite New York chain lock, so don’t think of the SAF Lock as a regular bike lock. Akers told Bicycling that Altor set out to make a lock that could withstand 45 minutes of angle grinder cutting, so in that regard, the SAF Lock succeeds.
The problem with most materials that can’t be cut relatively easily with an angle grinder and the proper disk/blade is that it is going to be a) very expensive, b) very brittle and hard to work with, and/or c) extremely heavy. As mentioned by James, something like a high carbon, high molybdenum steel, such as VG-1 or ATS-34, hardened to a Rockwell B-scale of >60 would be hard to cut with an angle grinder. Making a practical cable or chain that can’t be cut with a diamond wheel on an angle grinder is a tall order.
The ceramic microbeads basically bounce out and dull any attempts to cut the material. A new material called Proteus is billed as just 15 percent the density of steel, but completely resistant to being cut through. “Firstly, the aluminum powder is mixed with titanium dihydride utilizing a rotating impeller to ensure a uniform mixture. After the mixing stage, the powder mixture is consolidated in a compressor and then extruded resulting in dense rods of material, which are cut into smaller pieces. Next, ceramic spheres and compressed aluminum powder rods are stacked in an orthogonal, grillage pattern and enclosed in a steel box using spot welds. The structure is then heated in a furnace to ca. 760 °C for between 15 and 20 minutes.” For context, let’s go through a few other examples of reactive materials.
Engineers from Durham University and the Fraunhofer Institute have created the first synthetic material that can block even the most determined intruders. Researchers claim the material, known as Proteus, cannot be cut. With the right tools, you can cut and fracture a diamond.
what can an angle grinder not cut Related Question:
What material Cannot be cut?
Researchers claim the material, known as Proteus, cannot be cut. In fact, it’s so tough it destroys any tool that attempts to slice into it. Natural materials like diamond and sapphire are strong because of the dense lattice of atomic bonds, but they’re inflexible.
What kind of metal Cannot be cut?
Tungsten carbide rings are made of the hardest metal on earth. This is what gives it its scratch resistance, but this durability also means these rings resist cutting tools. Because these rings are so strong, many people worry about whether or not they can be cut off in case of emergencies like finger swelling.
What material stops an angle grinder?
Instead, this Ferosafe stuff is a graphene composite material specifically designed to resist angle grinders and drills, and it’s made by a British materials manufacturer called Tenmat who have partnered up with Hiplok. Essentially this stuff disintegrates angle grinder blades!
What is the most difficult material to cut?
Diamonds are largely considered to be one of the hardest, naturally occurring materials on Earth, although with the right tools, you could actually cut or fracture a diamond.
Can an angle grinder cut through anything?
An angle grinder is a power tool that can be used for cutting through different types of materials, including metal and other solid materials such as bricks, aluminium, stone and concrete.
Can an angle grinder cut hardened steel?
Hardened steel is a very useful material, but working with it is tough because it is nearly impossible to cut with simple tools. What you really need is an angle grinder, and this video will show you how to use one of the powerful power tools to cut a hardened steel ring.
Can Titanium be cut?
While it is true that titanium is tough, (the name derives from the ‘Titans’ of Greek mythology), titanium rings can be quickly and easily cut with a common ring cutter (standard equipment in hospitals).
Can tungsten and titanium rings be cut off?
Can Titanium or Tungsten Carbide ring be cut off? Yes! But first try soaking your hand in an ice cold water for 1-2 minute, then apply a lubricant (such as petroleum jelly or hand lotion) between the ring and the knuckle, hold the ring with a towel and pull with a rocking motion.
Will an angle grinder cut a padlock?
Use an Angle Grinder If you happen to have an angle grinder, you can easily cut through a padlock without needing a bolt cutter. You will need a metal cutoff wheel with your angle grinder as well, but these are not terribly expensive. Before you start cutting away, though, you will need to wear the proper safety gear.
Can a grinder cut through titanium?
✽[Product Usage]: It can be used with angle grinders and cutting machines, suitable for cutting titanium plates, color steel plates, stainless steel and various metals. You must wear protective glasses, dust masks, and gloves during installation.
What is harder to cut iron or steel?
The difference is that steel has a carbon content of less than 2.1% by weight. More carbon makes the mix harder, more brittle, so less ductile. Cast iron contains MORE carbon than that rough upper limit of 2.1% for steel.
Is there anything a waterjet can’t cut?
Among the very few materials that waterjets cannot cut are diamonds and tempered glass. Diamonds are too hard to cut (and there may be a few other very hard materials that can’t be cut).
How do I protect my bike with an angle grinder?
Hiplok reveals ‘world’s first truly portable bike lock to resist angle-grinder attacks’ British security and storage brand Hiplok has launched a 1.8kg portable bike lock solution that it claims is capable of resisting “a severe, sustained angle grinder attack”.
Can you use a grinder to cut wood?
There are several reasons why some users attach a circular saw blade to an angle grinder. The blade of an angle grinder is a grindstone that is used to polish or sharpen metal and stone; it cannot be used for cut- ting wood because it may burn and singe the wood by friction.
Can I cut stainless steel with an angle grinder?
The angle grinder is a portable handheld tool that is famous for abrasive cutting. However, operators find it very suitable for cutting stainless steel due to its high cutting force. Additionally, this tool can cut both thin and thick stainless-steel plates or sheets.
