Marlborough, Mass.-base Xtalic Corp., a provider of nano-scale metal alloys and coatings, has entered the electric vehicle market (EV) with products that aim to extend the life of connectors in electric battery chargers by up to 40 times, the company says.
Xtalic has applied its XTRONIC and LUNA nanostructured alloys to lengthen the service lives of EV charger connectors. Traditional connector contacts employ a silver-over-nickel-over-copper construction that wears through after 250 charge cycles; however, Xtalic says it replaces these layers with its materials to significantly enhance the connectors’ hardness, durability and corrosion resistance. The Xtalic alloys have achieved up to 10,000 charge cycles in high normal force applications, the company says.
Xtalic adds that its products can operate at 150 degrees C or higher, thanks to a carefully engineered crystal structure.
The company is also developing XTALIUM, a nanostructured aluminum alloy, to help improve range and performance in the EV market. This durable, corrosion-resistant coating enables the use of low-cost, lightweight magnesium alloy for automotive components. The magnesium parts weigh less than aluminum, and when coated with XTALIUM alloy, they have substantial corrosion protection, according to Xtalic.
