The fraction and size of pores present in EBM Ti-6Al-4V specimens varies depending on the melting strategy used, whether linear raster melting or point melting.

Modeling and simulation are used to solve the problem of folded grooves, a common occurrence during aluminum wheel forging.

Novel methods for altering the mechanical properties of functionally graded orthodontic medical devices leads to new applications. This article highlights recent applications of selective vaporization to enable functional grading of shape memory alloys in medical devices for the dental industry.

High-speed, high-fidelity techniques used to analyze texture and dislocation content enable greater understanding of the influence of texture on deformation of titanium alloys than previously possible. This article describes a study in which specimens were examined using graphical slip band analysis to understand the influence of microstructure, alloy content, and loading orientation on the surface deformation response of titanium.

The initial steps in the art of manufacturing cymbals are discussed from ancient times through the modern era, including copper smelting, alloying copper and tin, pouring the molten metal into ingots, and processing the ingots by hand-hammering or rolling a finished blank.

Aluminum-silicon (Al-Si) alloys have good castability in combination with high corrosion resistance, thermal conductivity, and specific strength, making them a strong candidate for many automotive applications. This article describes the processes used in the production of die-cast AlSi9Mg engine brackets for Volvo trucks, the effects of solution treatment temperature on Si particle size, and the benefits of Mg additions on yield strength and heat treatability.

This article evaluates the sliding wear behavior of fiber-reinforced 7075 Al alloy composites. It explains how the composite samples were made and shows how different fiber materials, volume percentages, and orientations affect hardness and wear resistance. It also interprets wear test results and what they reveal about wear mechanisms in metal-matrix composites.

Laboratory tests conducted at the University of Southampton, UK, found that many species of bacteria including hospital superbugs, MRSA and VRE, are killed in less than 2 h on copper alloy surfaces. Tests conducted in a third-party lab subject to EPA audits confirmed these results, concluding that a range of copper alloy surfaces, such as brass, bronze, copper nickel, and nickel silver, achieve a 99.9% reduction of bacteria within 2 h of contact and that the effect is not impaired by tarnish. Other such tests have since been conducted and the results are presented in the article.

This article explains how to determine the machinability of a material based on cutting force measurements and surface roughness. The method is used to compare the effect of lead and bismuth additions on the machinability of yellow brass alloys.

The continually increasing demand for new energy will likely be met through a combination of traditional and emerging energy platforms. While technology needs for traditional oil and gas production differ greatly from the needs of emerging power generation platforms, such as solar, wind, fuel cells, and batteries, a common need among all these sources or energy is advanced materials. Tantalum surface alloys enable advancements in traditional and new energy production methods.

Researchers at the University of Michigan are investigating the complex heterogeneous phase transformations associated with deformation in shape memory alloys by means of in-situ tensile loading in combination with SEM, EBSD, and digital image correlation. This article describes the general approach and presents and interprets test results.

Self-pierce riveting is a candidate for joining magnesium alloy sheet, extrusions, and castings in automotive applications. This article evaluates the fatigue performance of magnesium lap joints held together by laser-assisted self-piercing rivets (SPR) with and without the addition of adhesives.

The unique metallurgy and microstructure of Cu-Ni-Sn spinodal alloys provide a combination of strength, toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance, suiting them for applications ranging from bearings, bushings, and friction surfaces in all sorts of machinery to electrical connectors and EMI shielding gaskets.

Integrated computational materials engineering has proven effective in shrinking materials development timelines and accelerating the implementation of new materials in manufactured components. This article presents examples of aerospace alloys developed using ICME techniques and provides a glimpse of future applications.

Shape memory alloy nanowires have been successfully produced from indium-thallium, one of the least-studied binary SMAs. This article provides a brief overview of the process and some of the unique properties of the material. The article is based on the winning entry in the 2012 International Metallographic Contest sponsored by the International Metallographic Society.

The Spanwise Adaptive Wing project intends to obtain a wide spectrum of aerodynamic benefits in flight by folding wings through the use of an innovative and lightweight shape memory alloy.

New methods for processing titanium alloys offer the potential to enhance mechanical properties while reducing component cost. This article discusses innovative and potentially lower cost fabrication processes including additive manufacturing (AM), superplastic forming/diffusion, hot isostatic pressing (HIP) near-net shapes from prealloyed powder, injection molding, rapid solidification, mechanical alloying, and thermohydrogen processing.

As the American car companies moved toward the use of aluminum auto body sheet in the early 1970s, they brought with them a mindset very different from that of the aerospace industry.

In this article, the authors demonstrate the use of simulation software to optimize low-pressure carburizing (LPC) processes for high-alloy steels with strong carbide-forming elements.

Field assisted sintering is a breakthrough technique for producing aluminum matrix composites that could replace high-density materials in a variety of applications.