Material Empire

Thermal spraying is a material processing process whose principle is to cover a substrate with a coating to change the properties of a certain aspect of the substrate. It is very particular about what material to use as the coating. Different materials can achieve different effects. For example, the titanium nitride coating can improve the wear resistance of the material, and the zirconia coating can also play a role in addition to wear resistance. To the role of high temperature resistance.

As a material scientist, Qin Hai has some understanding of the properties of various materials. As soon as Leng Yuming said that the material the customer wanted to coat was ferrite, he knew who the customer was, because at least in those days , The main function of ferrite material as a material coating is to absorb radar waves, and only the military needs this function.

It was a very common practice to use ferrite coatings to achieve the stealth effect of aircraft and other equipment. Although it belongs to the military secrets of various countries, some clues can also be seen from some documents. Researchers in the field of military industry in our country learned this technology from a few words in some foreign documents and started related experiments. As a traveler, Qin Hai knew the development of this technology and its existence. of various defects.

The so-called ferrite refers to various types of compounds formed by the combination of iron and oxygen. The chemical formula of spinel ferrite includes a divalent metal ion, such as divalent manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, etc.; two trivalent metal ions, usually ferric ions; and four oxygen ion.

Using spinel ferrite as the absorbing material, the process is relatively simple, and the price is relatively low, but its disadvantages are that the density is too high and the absorbing frequency band is too narrow. If you want to increase the frequency bandwidth of absorbing, you need to use multiple coatings, each coating for a frequency band, and this makes the coating too thick, which will increase the weight of the equipment.

For example, the specific gravity of ferrite material is about 5, if the thickness of the coating is 4 mm, and the coating area is 50 square meters, then the weight of the entire coating can reach 1 ton, which is undoubtedly is an unbearable additional burden.

In Qin Hai's previous life, he did not specialize in the research of stealth materials, but he participated in some peripheral consulting work, and he still has some understanding of some major technical issues. He knew that it was a detour to focus on ferrite materials, so he couldn't help reminding himself of these colleagues.

Li Zhongyun and Wu Honglin are naturally not engineers from Tongjiang Mining Machinery Factory. Their true identities are researchers from the 70X Institute of Military Industry, and they are researching stealth materials for stealth fighters. At present, the 70X Institute's research ideas for stealth materials are still limited to the use of spinel-type ferrite materials. The researchers purchased three thermal spraying machines from Qingfeng Agricultural Machinery Factory through the Mining Machinery Factory, and carried out spraying experiments on ferrite materials. They found that the adhesion of the materials was not enough, and they could not solve this problem by themselves. A trip to Qingfeng factory.

According to Li Zhongyun and Wu Honglin's original idea, they just came to Qingfeng Factory to understand the technical details, and there is no need for the technical personnel of Qingfeng Factory to actually participate in this research. After all, this is a confidential project involving national defense and military industry, so it is not easy to do so. Involve the public. Unexpectedly, when Qin Hai came up, he said with certainty that they were taking a wrong path, and even said something suggestive like employing people is not suspicious, so they had to pay attention to it.

After the two left Qingfeng Factory, they called the unit leader and told about the situation. There happened to be a researcher at the 70X Institute who had been to the missile base in Anhe to participate in the missile tail diagnosis work. He knew Qin Hai. After saying this, the unit leader immediately instructed Li and Wu to go to the provincial military region to contact him. Yue Guoyang, in order to fully understand Qin Hai's background.

After listening to the narration of the two, Yue Guoyang immediately patted his chest and said that Comrade Qin Hai can be trusted. As early as a few years ago, the Political Department of the Provincial Military Region had screened his political background, and his business has grown more and more these years. The bigger it is, the less likely it is to get together with foreign hostile forces. Regarding Qin Hai's assertion that ferrite spraying is a wrong path, Yue Guoyang laughed and told Li and Wu that Qin Hai's knowledge in material science is unfathomable, and if they have difficulties, it is the best way to find Qin Hai.

With a skeptical mentality, Li and Wu returned to Qingfeng Factory and asked to meet Qin Hai. From their point of view, if Qin Hai could accurately tell their origins, it would prove that Qin Hai really knew the materials of invisibility, and it was indeed possible to help them. If Qin Hai guessed wrong about what they were doing, there would be no need to talk about the rest of the matter.

Chairman Qin, we didn't know your situation before, so some things were kept secret from you. You can understand this, right? You are right, we are engaged in aircraft stealth materials, why do you think ferrite is Is spraying a wrong way? Isn’t that what foreign aircraft and missile stealth technologies do?” Wu Honglin asked.

Qin Haidao: Because our factory is engaged in thermal spraying equipment, I have paid a little attention to this technology. You are right. There are indeed ferrite materials used as aircraft stealth materials in foreign countries. There are not many documents, but some clues can be glimpsed. However, as far as I know, the use of ferrite materials as stealth materials can only be regarded as the first generation of stealth technology. The defects of ferrite materials in stealth must be the same for you clearly.

We are working hard to overcome these defects. We use thermal spraying technology, which is also an attempt. Wu Honglin said.

Qin Hai nodded and said: Yes, according to the literature, the foreign method is to mix epoxy resin and ferrite material to make paint for surface coating. You use thermal spraying method, which can improve the coating efficiency. Strength, and the use of less resin is indeed an improvement, which is worthy of recognition.

... Li Zhongyun and Wu Honglin were speechless. If Qin Hai's words came from the mouth of the director, they might still be a little excited, but such a young man said so old-fashioned in front of these two experts. What is worthy of affirmation seems to be a bit weird.

Qin Hai didn't care about the emotions of the two of them. He was not as professional as these two when it came to stealth materials, but he was enough to be their teacher when it came to his understanding of future technological trends.

The defects of the ferrite material itself cannot be completely made up for by changing the coating process. Therefore, other stealth materials are currently being studied abroad. According to my judgment, the ferrite material will be completely replaced in the future. We spend now Too much energy is spent on ferrite materials, and the final result can only be that we will always be behind. Since we know that other materials are more promising, why can't we use limited manpower and financial resources in these areas? Qin Hai generously The statement said.

Li Zhongyun and Wu Honglin exchanged a surprised look, and then asked tentatively: Chairman Qin, you think ferrite materials must be outdated, so do you know what materials will be used in stealth technology in the future?

I don't dare to say that I understand it. It's just some personal opinions. It can be regarded as an introduction. Qin Hai said, According to my analysis, microwave stealth materials can be divided into two categories. The first category is inorganic materials, including various metal powders, metal Fiber, carbon black, carbon fiber, graphite material, ceramic material, ferrite material and isotopic material, etc.;

The second category is organic polymer materials, including various conductive polymer materials, such as polyethylene, polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, etc., as well as organometallic complexes.

In the long run, organic polymer materials are more promising because of their better plasticity. After adding various dopants, they can achieve a large bandwidth of microwave absorption, and their specific gravity is much lower than that of ferrite materials. Effectively reduce the weight of the aircraft itself.

After Qin Hai finished speaking, Li Zhongyun and Wu Honglin were dumbfounded. They have also seen some clues from some foreign documents about the situation Qin Hai mentioned, but it is far less clear than what Qin Hai summed up. As soon as Qin Hai said it, they knew that these words were definitely not groundless, and his understanding of invisibility materials was already higher than the two of them.

Since Qin Hai had already planned to help the other party, he didn't bother to hide anything. These large-scale ideas are sometimes just a layer of window paper. When you don't click on it, you feel mysterious, and you can find it when you click on it. If Li and Wu want to find out where his knowledge came from, he can point to a few published documents for them to read carefully. They lack academic sensitivity. Sensitivity, who can say clearly?

Chairman Qin, what you said is great. Can you go back with us? I think we, Mr. Gu, will have a lot in common with you. Wu Honglin said excitedly.

Qin Hai was stunned for a moment, and asked, Mr. Gu? Could it be Teacher Gu Qinyuan?

Exactly, why, Chairman Qin knows our Chief Engineer Gu? Li Zhongyun asked in surprise.

Uh uh, I've been friends with each other for a long time, but we just haven't had the chance to meet each other. Qin Hai quickly covered up. This chief engineer Gu can be regarded as a master in the material industry, but because he has been in the military industry system, many achievements cannot be published in academic journals, so he is not well-known in the society. Qin Hai in the previous life had dealt with him several times. As for this life, he had heard of this name from Chen Heqian, so it is reasonable to say that he is a god friend.

Li Zhongyun said: We are both assistants of Mr. Gu. This time, Mr. Gu asked us to come here. Two days ago, we called back and told you about your situation. Mr. Gu is very interested in your views. We want to ask you for advice. Unexpectedly, Chairman Qin has such a thorough understanding of stealth materials, so we would like to take the liberty of asking you to meet our chief engineer, he must have many questions to discuss with you.

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