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Vitreous Carbon, otherwise known as “Glassy Carbon”, is a non-graphitising carbon and comes in many forms. In fact, Carbon can take on so many different appearances, properties or morphologies, you might go as far as to say it’s something of a shapeshifter. So, apart from its shifter superpower, what else do we know about it? 

By now, most of us are familiar with Graphene, the wonder material discovered at the University of Manchester back in 2004. For those who need a reminder, Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional nanostructure. It’s the first one-atom thick 2D material ever discovered, yet it’s one of the strongest materials in the world. 

What makes up 27.7% of the Earth’s crust and is one of the most useful elements known to mankind? The answer is Silicon! Not much of a punchline, but some solid facts about today’s material focus, Silicon. This material is also the second most abundant element on our planet, coming second only to Oxygen, and is crucial to many industries.

A composite is a material made from two or more constituent materials that have significantly varying physical or chemical properties. Simply put, composites are a combination of components. The purpose of composites is to create something stronger/better as a team, rather than individual players.

Last week on the Goodfellow blog, we took a spotlight to Alumina. In this post, we mentioned that this material goes into the making of synthetic Sapphires and Rubies. This week, as requested by some of our readers, we’re going to take a closer look. So, take this edition as a “you asked we answered”… As ruby exhibits identical properties to those of Sapphire, we’re going to focus on Sapphire today.

Goodfellow’s Green Production Range is dedicated to using environmentally sound products and processes that conserve energy and the natural resources of our planet. We believe in fuelling innovation whilst fostering sustainability and so created a range of products that do just that.

Sometimes, the best things come in the smallest packages, so the saying goes. Today’s Throwback Thursday is going to prove this statement true by shining a light on nanotechnology. Although nanotechnology has a small history, spanning a little way back on humanity’s timeline (puns intended), it’s still had a major impact. Got a little time? We’ll stop with the puns. Let’s learn more… 

Otherwise known as Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3), Alumina is a white, nearly colourless crystalline substance. It’s produced by refining Bauxite, an ore mined from topsoil in certain tropical and subtropical regions. The Bayer process, discovered in 1887, is the primary method by which Alumina is extracted from Bauxite. 

Without realising it, you’ve probably used a product with Polycarbonate in it today. You almost definitely will have used one in your lifetime! Polycarbonate (PC) is practically everywhere, used in multiple applications. It’s a naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic with many desirable qualities and a unique combination of properties that make it a popular choice.