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Steel "Velcro" May Change How Things Are Made
A new invention developed by German scientists may change the way many large objects are built and held together.
"Metaklett," or "steel Velcro" consists of hooks and loops just like conventional Velcro, but is much more heavy-duty. Made of spring steel alloy, it's strong enough to hold machinery or buildin
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Steel "Velcro" May Change How Things Are Made FARM SHOP Miscellaneous 34-2-33 A new invention developed by German scientists may change the way many large objects are built and held together.
"Metaklett," or "steel Velcro" consists of hooks and loops just like conventional Velcro, but is much more heavy-duty. Made of spring steel alloy, it's strong enough to hold machinery or building materials together, thanks to co-inventor, Dr. Christoph Hein.
Metaklett is resistant to high temperatures, withstanding heat of 1400? F or more. It can also endure the power of strong chemical solutions. The strength of Metaklett is 7,310 lbs/sq. ft. when tensile force is applied parallel to the surface of the fastener. When force is applied perpendicular to the surface, the strength is still impressive at 1,460 lbs/sq. ft..
The main innovation of Metaklett is that it has enough muscle to support huge objects and, at the same time, withstand severe environmental conditions. Like its conventional cousin, it can also be opened and closed by simply peeling or pressing.
"Strength is definitely not Metaklett's only advantage; temperature and creeping resistance are also significant. For example, if you mount a granite plate to a facade, it should stay there for eternity. Unlike plastic Velcro, Metaklett doesn't æcreep'," says Josef Mair, a research associate at Germany's Technical University of Munich.
Metaklett was developed as a joint effort between the university and two German companies: Reinz (who produces car parts and had the initial idea to create a Velcro from steel) and Holzel (produces tools used in the manufacture of the Metaklett).
Metaklett is not yet on the market, but has great potential, especially in the field of construction.
"People who are interested can order a sample through Reinz," Mair says. "If there is enough demand, the product will most likely become available."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Josef Mair, Technical University of Munich, Institute of Metal Forming and Casting (utg), Walther-MeiBner-Str., D 85747 Garching, Germany (ph 011 49 89 289 14540, fax 011 49 89 289 14547; Josef.Mair@utg.de; www.metaklett.de) or REINZ-Dichtungs-GmbH, Reinzstra?e 3-7, 89233 Neu-Ulm, Germany (ph 011 49 0 731 70 46 û 0, fax 011 49 0 731 71 90 89; reinz.info@dana.com; http://www.reinz.de/root/eng/index.php).
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