Search Results for dimensional stability

Durable polyimide parts that can withstand challenging aerospace environments mean longer service life, less maintenance, and smaller part inventories for aircraft fleet owners.

Beryllium won a lengthy competition as the material of choice for the mirrors on the James Webb Space Telescope, set to launch in 2018. This article documents the development history leading up to that decision. It took decades to perfect powder atomization and HIP'ing processes to make optical-grade beryllium components homogeneous, isotropic, polishable, thermally and dimensionally stable, and above all, predictable.

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.

The aerospace industry could benefit from recent progress in making near net shape titanium extrusions for applications beyond the long structural components of an aircraft.

Binder jet 3D metal printing is the ultimate bridge between prototypes and production of metal injection molded parts.

Nanostructured tungsten-tungsten carbide chemical vapor deposition (CVD) coatings provide a practical, technical, and commercially viable alternative to hard chrome plating for aircraft components.

Process optimization and optimal component performance can be achieved when multiple variables are measured and studied as a whole. In the investigation described in this article, fatigue performance of AISI 8620 H steel was characterized as a function of carburization case depth, hardness, residual stress, and retained austenite to demonstrate that an optimized carburization process could be engineered to meet specific application requirements.

This article discusses the capabilities of a compression test system developed to evaluate composite coil springs for automotive suspension systems.

Accurate measurement of retained austenite levels is important in the development and control of a heat treatment process.

Annealing and normalizing both involve heating metal to a temperature and cooling back to room temperature and are differentiated by the metals involved and rate of cooling. This article is an overview of annealing and normalizing processes.

Vat polymerization uses ultraviolet light to harden liquid photosensitive resins into medical products such as surgical models and artificial limbs.

Proper specification, measurement, and control of annealing furnace atmospheres are critical to reduce sooting, oxidation, sticking, and distortion. This article describes how to effectively design and utilize a nitrogen-hydrogen annealing atmosphere.

A mixed-reality application called HoloMicroscope helps microscopists make decisions and analyze data efficiently while using transmission electron microscopes. In the context of materials research, using mixed reality augments a user’s interaction by allowing them to see a TEM column and its control panels, while also interacting with three-dimensional holograms that are projected into their field of view. Introduction of mixed reality into a data-intensive research workflow could help accelerate scientific discovery. This article provides background about technology and a case study in its use.

Martempering involves cooling steel from the austenitizing temperature and rapidly cooling into either specially formulated petroleum oil or a molten salt bath with a specific composition to a temperature slightly above the martensite start (Ms) transformation temperature of the steel. Martempering is performed to reduce distortion problems that may be encountered with conventional quenching methods. This article, adapted from the latest ASM Handbook on quenching and quenchants, describes suitable steels for martempering and variables that influence the process.

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.

Raman spectroscopy is an indispensable tool in laboratories conducting research in the nascent field of carbon nanomaterials. It provides comprehensive information about the structure and layer thickness of graphene samples with high levels of sensitivity, stability, and control.

Using advanced characterization techniques on surface hardened steels builds a richer understanding of the underlying metallurgical phenomena.

Accurate and continuous dew point measurement is key to maintaining the atmosphere required to achieve high quality and consistency of sintered products in powder metallurgy processing.

Despite challenges, research and development scientists are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence when creating new materials. This article outlines what AI can do and why businesses are using it, illustrated by examples.

When the first aluminum hood launched in 1977, the mills were delivering rectangular blanks separated by paper to protect the delicate outer surfaces. This article reviews important advances in aluminum forming and heat treating in the latter part of the twentieth century.