This article describes the synthesis, manufacturing, and properties of both the neat soy-based resins and the glass, flax, and hemp composites. A tabulation of the fatty-acid distribution in various plant oils is provided. The article discusses synthetic pathways for triglyceride-based monomers and provides a discussion on acrylated epoxidized soybean oils (AESO), maleinized soyoil monoglyceride (SOMG/MA), and maleinized hydroxylated oil (HO/MA). The polymer properties of the AESO, SOMG/MA, and HO/MA are also discussed. The article explains the ballistic impact resistance of soy resin composites and concludes with a discussion on biodegradable composites.

This article reviews the applications of traditional glasses in architecture, transportation, construction, houseware, containers, and fibers. It also describes uses of specialty glasses for aerospace and military applications, biomedical and dental applications, chemical-resistant applications, lighting, information display, electronic processing and electronic devices, optical and ophthalmic products, and communications equipment.

Ceramic and glass manufacturers take environmental regulations into consideration during all stages of the product cycle, from research and development to purchasing, processing, end use, and disposal. Ceramic and glass products are finding application in the construction industry and as raw materials for other processes. This article describes the recycling of in-process scrap and industrial wastes (fly ash, red mud, metallurgical waste, and other waste products), and applications of these recycled products. It focuses on environmental regulations such as Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Act requires all states to meet minimum emissions standards for nitrogen-oxygen compounds, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide.

This article discusses the materials of construction found in pharmaceutical production facilities. The materials discussed are different stainless steels, nickel and nickel-base alloys, titanium, zirconium, impervious graphite, fluoropolymers, and glass-lined steel. The article describes the three primary causes of failure in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals: embedded iron, failures of glass linings, and corrosion under thermal insulation.

The large majority of the commercially important glasses are processed from a carefully calculated batch of raw materials that is then melted in special furnaces. Providing an introduction to melting practices of glass production, this article focuses on various finishing methods of glass products, including forming, grinding and polishing, and explores the advantages, disadvantages and steps involved in sol-gel process. It also discusses the types, processes and properties of annealed, laminated, and tempered glass, and presents the steps involved in glass decoration. The article gives a detailed account of production, properties and application of fiberglass, optical fibers, glass spheres and ceramic glasses, and describes the forms, classification, compositions and properties of glass/metal and glass-ceramic/metal seals.

The necessary precursor to a proper and durable finish is the preparation of the active aluminum surface to receive the desired protective finish that will allow it to have a long and attractive service life. This article helps those who work with aluminum in the many varieties of applications of such products. It describes the two main categories of cleaning that can be used with most any metal, namely, mechanical cleaning and chemical cleaning. The article provides a discussion on the laboratory evaluation of cleaners, field testing of cleaners, and cleaner types and procedures. It also describes the special cleaning procedures for aluminum alloys, such as steam cleaning and rotary wire-brush cleaning. The article reviews the use of temporary coatings and the use of maintenance coatings on aluminum. It provides information on the handling and storage procedures of aluminum alloys and the cleaning of specific applications of aluminum.

This article provides an overview of the types, properties, and applications of traditional and advanced ceramics and glasses. Principal product areas for traditional ceramics include whitewares, glazes, porcelain enamels, structural clay products, cements, and refractories. Advanced ceramics include electronic ceramics, optical ceramics, magnetic ceramics, and structural ceramics.

High-temperature combustion is primarily used to determine carbon and sulfur contained in a variety of materials. This article illustrates the principle of combustion and focuses on the characteristics of accelerators. It provides information on the process of separating oxide compounds formed in the combustion zone. The article provides information on infrared and thermal-conductive detectors, which are used for the detection of CO2 and SO2. Finally, it addresses the requirements of a sample to undergo total and selective combustion, and presents examples showing the applications of high-temperature combustion. .

Microstructural analysis of the composite matrix is necessary to understand the performance of the part and its long-term durability. This article focuses on the microstructural analysis of engineering thermoplastic-matrix composites and the influence of cooling rate and nucleation on the formation of spherulites in high-temperature thermoplastic-matrix carbon-fiber-reinforced composites. It also describes the microstructural analysis of a bio-based thermosetting-matrix natural fiber composite system.

The chemical composition of Kevlar aramid fiber is poly para-phenyleneterephthalamide. Para-aramid fibers belong to a class of materials known as liquid crystalline polymers. This article discusses the manufacture of aramid fibers and the major fiber forms, such as continuous filament yarns, rovings, woven fabrics, discontinuous staple and spun yarns, fabrics, and pulp. Key representative properties of para-aramid fibers are listed in a table. The article reviews the properties of aramid fibers, including tensile modulus, tensile strength, creep and fatigue, compressive properties, toughness, thermal properties, as well as electrical and optical properties. It concludes with a discussion on the environmental behavior of para-aramid fibers.

This article describes the eight chemical cleaning methods, namely, circulation, fill and soak, cascade, foam, vapor-phase organic, steam-injected, on-line chemical, and mechanical cleaning. It presents information on deposit types, solvents used to remove them, and construction material incompatibilities in a table. The article summarizes the uses of chemical cleaning solutions, including hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, and sulfamic acid, as well as the additives used to neutralize their impact on corrosion. It discusses the chemical cleaning procedures, including selection of cleaning method and solvent, documentation of cleaning, and corrosion monitoring in chemical cleaning.

This article is a compilation of definitions for terms related to engineering materials, including plastics, elastomers, polymer-matrix composites, adhesives and sealants, ceramics, ceramic-matrix composites, glasses, and carbon-carbon composites.

Traditional ceramics, one of two general classes, are commonly used in high-volume manufacturing to make building materials, household products, and various industrial goods. Although there is a tendency to equate traditional ceramics with low technology, sophisticated processes and advanced manufacturing techniques are often used where these materials are employed. This article examines several traditional ceramics, including structural clay, whiteware, glazes, enamels, portland cements, and concrete. It also provides a detailed account of fabrication methods, properties, and applications. As an example, common applications for structural clay include facing materials, load-bearing units, pavers, and ceramic tiles.

Hot extrusion is a process in which wrought parts are formed by forcing a heated billet through a shaped die opening. This article discusses nonlubricated and lubricated hot extrusion. The two nonlubricated hot extrusion methods are forward or direct extrusion and backward or indirect extrusion. The article illustrates the significance of extrusion speeds and temperatures in hot extrusion. It describes the basic types of presses used in the hot extrusion of metals. The article provides information on the characterization of extruded shapes and explains the operating parameters, including extrusion velocity, amount of pressure required, and type of lubricant, for successful and efficient hot extrusion. The article concludes with a discussion on applications and design methodology that provides insight into CAD/CAM of extrusion dies.

This article explores the possibilities and limitations imposed by manufacturing processes and materials. Detailed design rules for the processes are presented. The article lists the main features of process groups in a tabular form. The physical characteristics and ratings of relative cost and production factors are also tabulated. The process groups include casting; deformation; powder processing; machining; noncutting; joining; ceramic, glass, and polymer processing; and composites manufacturing.

Fiber-matrix adhesion is a variable to be optimized in order to get the best properties and performance in composite materials. This article schematically illustrates fiber matrix interphase for composite materials. It discusses thermodynamics of interphase in terms of surface energy, contact angle, work of adhesion, solid surface energy, and wetting and wicking. The article describes the change in interphase depending on the reinforcing fiber such as glass fiber, polymeric fiber, and carbon fiber. It emphasizes fiber-matrix adhesion measurements by direct methods, indirect methods, and composite laminate tests. The effects of interphase and fiber-matrix adhesion on composite mechanical properties, such as composite on-axis properties, composite off-axis properties, and composite fracture properties, are also discussed.

This article provides a detailed discussion on the corrosion of steel and stainless steel under insulation. Stress corrosion cracking mechanism, types of alloys susceptible to corrosion, factors influencing corrosion, and corrosion prevention methods, are also discussed.

Inert gas fusion is a method of determining the quantitative content of gases in ferrous and nonferrous materials where gases, such as hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, are physically and chemically adsorbed by the materials and later removed and swept by from the fusion area by an inert carrier gas. This article describes the operating principles and sample selection of inert gas fusion. It explains the mechanisms involved in the introduction of fusion gas, separation and detection of fusion gas by thermal-conductive and infrared detection methods. Additionally, the article explains the methods used for analyzing trace amounts of nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen in the carrier mediums, providing examples that aid in solving several problems.

This article discusses failures in shafts such as connecting rods, which translate rotary motion to linear motion, and in piston rods, which translate the action of fluid power to linear motion. It describes the process of examining a failed shaft to guide the direction of failure investigation and corrective action. Fatigue failures in shafts, such as bending fatigue, torsional fatigue, contact fatigue, and axial fatigue, are reviewed. The article provides information on the brittle fracture, ductile fracture, distortion, and corrosion of shafts. Abrasive wear and adhesive wear of metal parts are also discussed. The article concludes with a discussion on the influence of metallurgical factors and fabrication practices on the fatigue properties of materials, as well as the effects of surface coatings.