An advanced, patented probe sensor provides early detection of water infrastructure problems caused by corrosion and harsh atmospheric conditions. Designed to detect graphitization in active pipelines, it identifies areas at risk of major failures early on. By using indirect methods like GIS mapping, in-situ soil resistivity testing, and structure-to-soil potential measurements, high-risk zones can be pinpointed. Once these areas are identified, the probe assesses the severity and depth of graphitization, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the pipeline’s condition. This allows for the implementation of effective corrosion management strategies, including cathodic protection systems, to prevent critical failures. This article describes the sensor system and provides a case study of its use. The technology received the 2024 Engineering Materials Achievement Award from ASM International.

Efforts are underway in every sector of the scientic community to explore and develop possible strategies and solutions to counter sea level rise and climate change. Near-term materials science implications include improvements to corrosion-resistant materials and coatings.

Recent advances in thermal spray techniques enable thermal spray aluminum coatings to reliably protect offshore structures in splash zones.

Thermal spraying is being incorporated into more manufacturing processes where its primary role is to deposit a layer of material or a free-standing structure that has a functional, rather than a passive, role. Examples include thermally sprayed membranes, electrodes, antennas, thermocouples, inductors, and electrical contacts.

Lithium-ion batteries are an important enabling technology for electric vehicles. This article reports on a study in which an induction melting process was evaluated to produce LiFePO 4 (LFP) ingots as well as granules from low-cost precursors. The melt casting process can provide the benefits of utilizing various precursors, rapid reaction kinetics, homogeneous liquid composition, and scale-up readiness. More importantly, this process also offers the possibility of lower-cost battery materials at a similar or better performance level as compared to solid state methods. If successful, melt synthesis of battery cathode material could offer a novel application of the conventional casting process.

Recent advances in thermal spray techniques enable thermal spray aluminum coatings to reliably protect offshore oil and gas platform structures. This article presents a case study of preparing thermal spray aluminum coatings to protect steel structures in the splash zone. Testing and industry experience in marine environments indicate that aluminum coatings are a long-term solution for protection of hot risers in submerged, splash zone, and atmospheric service environments.

Energy storage solutions must overcome the challenges of synthesizing and processing dissimilar materials while maintaining high lithium transport through their interfaces.

Corrosion is commonly defined as the deterioration of a material or its properties because of a reaction with its environment. It is a natural process due to a high energy state induced in metals and alloys during refining, processing, and manufacturing. Modern methods for preventing and controlling corrosion can reduce or eliminate its impact on public safety, the economy, and the environment. New technologies push materials to withstand increasingly demanding conditions as a result of higher temperatures and pressures, and environments with greater corrosivity. Therefore, the risks of new types of corrosion failures need to be considered along with methods to avoid them, as described in this article.

An integrated strategy for the development of thermally sprayed functional oxide coatings is presented in this article. Strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM), a prototypical functional oxide, was selected to demonstrate the approach.

One of the most recent success stories for thermal spray in the automotive industry involves the development of plasma transferred wire arc (PTWA) for aluminum engine blocks. Driven by the demand to increase fuel efficiency, automakers are placing emphasis on decreasing overall vehicle weight as well as improving engine efficiency by reducing internal friction losses. The surface structure of the composite coating created by the PTWA process promotes favorable lubrication, low friction, wear resistance, improved heat transfer, and decreased bore distortion in engine block cylinders.

Outdoor enclosures for telecom equipment are often constructed from powder-coated aluminum, but with appropriate surface treatments, hot and cold rolled steel can serve in the same capacity at a lower cost. This article, the first of a two-part series, discusses the intrinsic corrosion behavior of hot and cold rolled steel and how it can be modified through galvanizing and aluminizing treatments. Part 2, scheduled for the October 2012 issue of AM&P , covers nonmetallic surface treatments and presents corrosion test results.

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) with segmented or cracked microstructures exhibit enhanced thermal cyclic behavior and erosion resistance, along with improved application economics, over conventional TBCs.

This article describes the development of applications of phosphate-based materials and characterizes five non-apatite phosphate minerals using 3D optical profilometry. The results reveal the suitability of these materials for new uses in energy storage and conversion as well as medical applications.

Optimizing the integrity and performance of highly engineered surfaces and structures requires the ability to visualize and understand material behavior over multiple length and time scales from a three-dimensional perspective. The Electron Microscopy Centre at the University of Manchester is equipped for such work as demonstrated in problem-solving scenarios involving multiscale imaging and analysis of the progression of intergranular corrosion in Al alloy 2024, the catalytic effect of silver nanoparticles in seawater, recrystallization in a volume element of a bronze alloy, and defect progression on graphene surfaces.

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of pyrolytic chromium carbide coatings (PCCCs) is proving to be a viable alternative to hard chrome plating used on cylinder piston group components. This article discusses the development and optimization of a CVD process for depositing PCCCs on piston rings and cylinder sleeves. It evaluates the coatings based on friction, wear, and adhesion properties in comparison with coatings produced by other methods.

A scientific study of two copper coins from 1851 and 1853 reveals well-preserved symbols of a growing, newly independent Chile nation.

Recent advances in the development of self-healing polymers enhance the longevity of energy harvesting and storage devices.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: ASM Materials Education Foundation 2013 Scholarship Winners; Jacquet-Lucas Award for Excellence in Metallography; Fashion Forward Micrograph; New Micrograph Tie and Scarf; Zinkle, Seetharaman Named Editors for Metallurgical and Materials Transactions; and Emerging Professionals: Engaging Young Professionals in Your Local Chapter.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: 2021 class of ASM Fellows; Kallarackel T. Jacob named as the 2022 J. Willard Gibbs Phase Equilibria Award recipient; Ursula R. Kattner named editor-in-chief of the Journal of Phase Equilibria and Diffusion (JPED); C. Barry Carter named the 2021 Henry Clifton Sorby awardee.

Boriding is performed by diffusing boron atoms into a metal surface and allowing the boron to react with elements present in the substrate to form metal-boride compounds. Upon diffusing enough boron into the surface, a metal-boride compound layer with high hardness precipitates and grows below the surface of the part. This article discusses boriding of ferrous alloys, including a new deep case boriding method that produces wear layer depths comparable to competitive processes such as carburizing, nitriding, thermal spray coatings, and hardfacing.