Emissivity is a term used to define the ability of a surface to emit and absorb radiation. At any given temperature, the emissivity of a body (or surface) equals its absorptivity. Development work on a vacuum carburizing process revealed the need to better understand the effect of workload surface emissivity and the proper use of dummy thermocouple test blocks. This article reports on the findings from this research effort.

A joint research project has been initiated to develop surface treatments that comply with European Union REACH regulations, which address the production and use of chemical substances and their impact on human health and the environment. This article describes the roles of the partner organizations in the project.

This article provides an overview of nondestructive test methods and their application in the study of material properties and structures. It covers the most widely used NDT technologies, including optical examination, radiography, acoustic emission, and ultrasonic testing, and discusses the impact of recent advancements.

Determining the root cause of avionics failures requires a disciplined and systematic analytical process supported by sophisticated equipment. This article reviews some of the analytical tools and techniques used to understand and prevent avionics failures.

The extreme high-speed laser application (EHLA) process offers efficient deposition of high-performance materials in aerospace manufacturing, providing key advantages compared to conventional laser cladding. As a sustainable alternative to chrome plating, EHLA excels in material integrity, efficiency, and performance, while reducing costs compared to thermal spray and conventional laser cladding. This article discusses how EHLA can help to address many sustainability concerns within the manufacturing sector.

Compared to traditional power plant materials, creep strength enhanced ferritic steels require new approaches to nondestructive examination and weld repair. The metallurgical complexity of these steels prompted EPRI to conduct research to define and/or improve the detection limits of ultrasonic testing techniques, explore novel electromagnetic techniques, evaluate the sensitivity and applicability of acoustic emission testing, and conduct studies on improved weld repair procedures.

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.

Efforts are underway in every sector of the scientific community to explore and develop possible strategies and solutions to counter sea level rise and climate change. This article discusses long-term approaches including various methodologies to convert CO 2 greenhouse gas released from burning fossil fuels to other forms of fuel and value-added products, thus mitigating climate change and its associated effects, including sea level rise.

An ultrafast, efficient industrial-scale boriding process can drastically reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve the performance and reliability of a variety of machine parts. This article describes a novel, environmentally friendly technology that enables treating thousands of industrial components in one batch, without creating solid or liquid waste and gaseous emissions.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an established technology that provides nearly instantaneous and virtually nondestructive analysis with minimal or no sample preparation and without an ionizing radiation source. This article describes the capabilities of new handheld LIBS systems.

Thermal spray technology is increasingly being used in alternative energy applications such as solid-oxide fuel cells, solar panels, and wind and hydropower turbines.

Nondestructive evaluation comprises a large family of specific test disciplines including visual inspection, dimensional metrology, ultrasound, radiography, penetrant tests, magnetic particle tests, leak tests, eddy current tests, potential drop tests, flash and vibrothermography, shearography, acoustic emissions, and many other methods. This article offers an overview of NDE science and discusses some key considerations for choosing specific techniques.

This article describes Shear-Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE), an emerging extrusion technology being developed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. One application of the ShAPE process is recycling post-consumer scrap without adding primary aluminum, which reduces embodied energy and carbon output. Scientists at PNNL won an R&D 100 Award in 2020 for their work in developing the ShAPE process.

Plasma nitriding is very effective in removing the passive layer of chromium oxide formed naturally on the surface of stainless steel, but controlling the kinetics is key for optimal results.

Metallographic examination and optical emission spectroscopy shed light on the origin of a lampshade found in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The steels used for the ring and wire in the frame are typical of those made prior to WWII and the fabrication processes appear to be of a similar timeframe. Tassels on the lampshade were determined to be a more recent alteration and the fabric was found to be cow skin parchment based on DNA testing.

In Germany, the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) is addressing challenges in the implementation of additive manufacturing on the industrial landscape for safety-critical applications. This article provides an overview of BAM’s activities in additive manufacturing with a focus on safety (both for applications and the environment) and AM technology innovation for a wide range of materials and manufacturing locations.

Cobalt alloys are widely used to meet the demanding performance requirements of diesal and natural gas engine valvetrain applications. Alloy J513 alloy was developed to lower costs and provide higher performance while also requiring substantially less cobalt usage.

Recent advances in hardware and software provide materials testers with improved productivity and enhanced capabilities. This article describes some innovations in testing composites and aluminum alloy formability and new capabilities in digital image correlation and testing machine software.

Processes such as combustion, calcination, thermal cracking, and gasification are typically carried out in industrial plants featuring kilns, rotary kilns, or drying ovens. The dynamic, high-temperature process of horizontal contact drying makes it possible to treat bulk materials more efficiently and evenly than traditional drying ovens and rotary kilns.

Metal-matrix composite (MMC) materials are being developed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for a diverse range of automotive applications from pistons and cylinder liners to exhaust manifolds and chassis sections. The ability to tailor not only the properties but also the functionality of MMCs gives automotive engineers a powerful new tool in dealing with increasingly strict fuel economy standards.