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.

Metallic glasses are noncrystalline solid metals that have high strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and impressive hardness compared to their crystalline counterparts. A modern understanding of how glasses are formed along with an appreciation for the high ultimate yield strength of metallic glasses are leading to a boon in applications for these unique materials.

Steel rebar is commonly used around the world to reinforce concrete. Understanding the basics of rebar tensile testing is critical to ensuring product quality. This article addresses issues in rebar tensile testing that are commonly misinterpreted or misunderstood by users.

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.

Fasteners play a critical role in engineered structures as a method of nonpermanent joining for the aerospace, infrastructure, civil, automotive, energy generation/distribution, and many other industries. Fastener failures can lead to disastrous consequences and substantial financial losses. One of the most common fastener failure modes is fatigue crack initiation and growth. Inadequate design considerations, material problems, insufficient preload, loosening, and excessive loads can all contribute to fastener fatigue. A case study of steel screw failures highlights some of the critical manufacturing and design factors that affect fastener fatigue.

This article describes how shielding gas composition, either argon or nitrogen, affects the hardness, tensile strength, and toughness of high-power, high-brightness laser welds made on various base materials, including A508 forging steel, 316L stainless steel, Inconel 690, and solution-annealed IN718.

Thixomolding is a method of molding semi-solid magnesium alloy pellets using equipment and processing methods similar to injection molding. Its commercial growth has been driven by its technical advantages, including enhanced precision, environmental cleanliness, and the ability to produce complex 3D shapes with high yields and minimal waste.

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.

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.

This article describes the investigation conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board following an explosion triggered by a natural gas pipeline rupture. In addition to determining the likely cause of the rupture, the NTSB issued safety recommendations calling for hydrostatic pressure testing of similar gas lines and making them more amenable to inline inspection methods.

This unique testing method offers economic benefits, sustainability advantages, and the potential to slash the time required to develop new alloys and processing recipes.

During the past 30 years, enormous research has been devoted to developing titanium-base intermetallics for use in gas turbine engines as lightweight alternative to nickel-base superalloys. This article presents a brief history of Ti 2 AlNb and efforts to mature this material for commercial component production. The article includes processing experience insights gained from a current R&D program in China.

A new high-strength steel developed for cold stamping addresses the challenges presented by materials traditionally used to manufacture electric vehicle components.

A powder metallurgy and hot isostatic pressing technology offers a new way to manufacture high pressure-retaining components for use in the power-generation industry.

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 1944 to 1953, which includes the publication of the A 36 structural steel standard, the keel laying ceremony for the U.S. Navy's first nuclear submarine (USS Nautilus ), and the maiden flight of Boeing's B-52 Stratofortress.

In order to expand the choice of materials available for use in additive manufacturing, parameters that consider welding metallurgy, laser powder interaction, and post processing must be developed. This article describes the outcomes of process development for a steel and stainless steel alloy that are not standard materials for laser powder bed fusion equipment.

Thixomolding is an environmentally clean and safe commercial process for semi-solid injection molding of magnesium alloys. The process is similar to plastic injection molding but with higher temperature and faster shot velocity. This article reviews advantages and applications of the process and future outlook for it.

An investigation into the chemistry and type of tungsten carbide powder used for drill bits has yielded a material with improved transverse rupture strength and interesting microstructural response to thermal cycling.

In North America, renewable power sources and gas turbines are often in the news, but globally, steam turbines generate the largest portion of electricity, and they will remain a predominant power-generation technology for many decades. Because steam turbines represent a preponderance of our power-generation base, it is essential to continue to drive turbine technology development. Until now, the main technical barrier limiting large efficiency improvements was the temperature constraint imposed by available materials. Today, the game is changing. Due to advancements in materials, we now have a chance to make unprecedented improvements in steam turbine power plant efficiency by raising the inlet temperature hundreds of degrees through the use of new tailored superalloys.

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.