Nanotechnology Now - News Story: "Edmonton cashes in on oilsands sector"

Home > News > Edmonton cashes in on oilsands sector

October 5th, 2007

Edmonton cashes in on oilsands sector

Abstract:
"This is the second year we've been to the oilsands show. Last year, we were just there to introduce NanoSteel. No one really knew who we were and the products applicable to the oilsands only came out in 2006," says company president and CEO Dave Paratore. "This year, interest is growing. We are currently undergoing numerous lab qualifications, which is understandable.

"The tarsands industry leaders have extremely large investments in capital equipment, which they can't take risks with. We would love it to go faster, but we respect that - the process of qualifying the material."

Paratore says his company is trying to redefine steel, creating unique alloy products with nano-sized grains. Used as thin or thick coatings, depending on the product, these nanostructured materials are designed to make it harder for wear and/or corrosion to start. The company's product line is focused on non-structural steel.

Oilsands companies would use the thick coatings, known as weld overlay, to protect a surface that would otherwise wear out. The product can be applied to large sheets of steel and bent into shape to cover the huge buckets used in digging, which would be one example of its application.

Source:
businessedge.ca

Bookmark: