Organic molecules on a metal surface…a machinist’s best friend Note to journalists: Additional photographs are available via a Google Drive folder. Journalists visiting campus should follow visitor health guidelines. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – How can you improve the cutting of “gummy” metals? Purdue University innovators have come up with an answer – and their findings may help in manufacturing products and reducing component failures. The researchers previously showed that the application of a permanent marker or Sharpie, glue or adhesive film made it easier to cut metals such as aluminum, stainless steels, nickel, copper and tantalum for industrial applications. Marking the metal surface to be machined with ink or an adhesive dramatically reduced the force of cutting, leaving a clean cut in seconds. Now, they have discovered how these films produce the effect.