Search Results for duralumin

Metals pioneer Paul Dyer Merica and his associates at the National Bureau of Standards discovered the principles that governed the age hardening of duralumin. The resulting developments opened the door to a new range of high-strength, lightweight alloys for engineering and transportation applications.

The cost of electric power is the biggest expense involved in aluminum production. Proximity to economical power sources determined the location of major aluminum reduction plants. This article describes the development of the aluminum industry in the early part of the twentieth century.

Alcoa’s aluminum monopoly continued throughout the 1920s and 1930s—a serious problem when World War II demands far exceeded production capacity. This articles reviews advances in aluminum technology during the war and the postwar period.

During the 20th century, the use of aluminum alloys helped the Allied Powers win World War II and made modern global air travel possible. Continuous improvements in engine technology, alloys, and manufacturing methods enabled the development of practical and efficient aircraft with varying passenger capacity and range capability. Conventional wrought aluminum alloys make up 70-80% of the weight of single-aisle airliners. Aluminum sheet, plate, forgings, extrusions, and castings all continue to be utilized in modern aircraft construction. This article explores a brief history of the special alloys, tempers, and product forms required to meet the unique challenges of flight.

In recognition of ASM International's 100-year anniversary , AM&P highlights historic events and technological advancements that occurred over the course of those years. This issue extends the timeline from 1924 to 1933, which includes the invention of 18-8 (type 304) stainless steel, the development of the Vickers hardness test, the debut of tungsten carbide cutting tools, and the first all-metal single-wing aircraft to transport mail.

Among his peers, Zay Jeffries was considered the elder statesman of American metallurgy. This brief article reviews his career, including stints at Alcoa and General Electric, and his fundamental contributions to alloy development.

In the early 1950s, European carmakers faced stringent fuel economy targets that their American counterparts would only confront 20 years later. This article reviews developments in Europe from the post-war period to the 1970s.

The early days of aluminum development occurred between 1886 and 1948, when the aluminum and automotive industries were both new and undergoing rapid changes in technology and scales of production.