Most modern instrumental techniques produce an output or signal that is not absolute. To obtain quantitative information, the raw output from an instrument must be converted into a physical quantity. This is done by standardizing or calibrating the raw response from an instrument and subsequently analyzing the uncertainty from both the calibration process and the measurement process. This article briefly summarizes the most common calibration and uncertainty analysis methods, namely external standard methods, abbreviated external standard methods, internal normalization, internal standard, standard addition, and serial dilution methods. In addition, it includes information on the traceability of true value of a measured quantity.

In terms of their electrical properties, plastics can be divided into thermosetting and thermoplastic materials, some of which are conductive or semiconductive. This article provides detailed information on factors that affect the property of plastics. It discusses the major test methods used to determine the following dielectric properties of plastics: dielectric breakdown voltage, dielectric strength, dielectric constant, dissipation factor, arc tracking resistance, insulation resistance, volume, and surface resistivity or conductivity. The test specifications and conditions, recommended by several U.S. and foreign testing organizations for characterizing the electrical properties of plastic materials are listed. The article describes the influence of these properties on selection of plastics for insulation application. An outline of the electromagnetic shielding and testing methods of electromagnetic interference are also provided. Designations, electrical properties, and applications of elastomers are tabulated.

This article tabulates materials that are known to have been used in orthopaedic and/or cardiovascular medical devices. The materials are grouped as metals, ceramics and glasses, and synthetic polymers in order. These tables were compiled from the Medical Materials Database which is a product of ASM International and Granta Design available by license online and as an in-house version. The material usage was gleaned from over 24,000 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Premarket notifications (510k), and USFDA Premarket Approvals, and other device records that are a part of this database. The database includes other material categories as well. The usage of materials in predicate devices is an efficient tool in the material selection process aiming for regulatory approval.

This article discusses the tests designed specifically to evaluate the adhesion, friction, and wear behavior of various material systems. It tabulates the characteristics of common types of wear and mechanical surface damage. The article also considers the displaying and analyzing of adhesion, friction, and wear test data. It concludes with a description of devices used for testing adhesion, friction, and wear.

Wear is mechanically-induced surface damage that results in the progressive removal of material. Because different types of wear occur in machinery, many different types of wear tests have been developed to evaluate its effects on materials and surface treatments. This article provides an explanation on mechanisms, forms (sliding, impact, and rolling) and the causes of wear. It describes the wear measuring methods, including the mass loss method, wear width method, and scar depth method. The units used to report wear vary with type of wear and with the purpose for which the data are to be used. Listing the considerations of tribosystem analysis, the article provides information on selection of ASTM wear test methods grouped by wear type. The article concludes by tabulating the testing geometries and parameters that are commonly controlled and reported when conducting wear tests.

This article describes the characteristics and technology of power sources for major arc welding methods along with the suggested criteria for assuring that a power source selection can safely deliver the desired output and yield long service life. Power sources with single-phase AC input voltage, three-phase input machines, inverter-based power sources, short arc gas metal arc welding power sources, and multiple arc power sources are discussed. The article also presents the factors to be considered when selecting a power source.

This article provides a detailed account of the concepts and applications of neutron activation analysis (NAA), covering the basic principles and neutron reactions of NAA as well as calibration methods used for NAA. The discussion also covers the factors pertinent to analytical sensitivity achievable with NAA, common neutron sources, sample-handling technique, and automated systems of NAA. The categories of NAA covered are instrumental neutron activation analysis, epithermal neutron activation analysis, radiochemical neutron activation analysis, 14 MeV fast neutron activation analysis, delayed neutron activation analysis, and prompt gamma activation analysis.

Finite element analysis is a computer-based numerical method for solving engineering problems in bodies of user-defined geometry. This article introduces the important issues of finite elements (especially accuracy and efficiency) in a nonacademic manner. It describes the Rayleigh-Ritz procedure for solving structural problems based on the principle of virtual work. The article discusses continuum elements, such as hexahedra, pentahedra, tetrahedra, quadrilaterals, and triangles, commonly used in three- or two-dimensional domains. It considers structural elements such as beam element, plate element, shell element, and elbow element. The article presents three examples to illustrate the types of problems that can be addressed and the decisions that must be made when using finite element analysis.

Radionuclide methods for wear measurement are used to measure wear continuously throughout a tribological experiment at a resolution of nanometers or micrograms per hour. This article presents an overview of radionuclide methods for wear measurement. It discusses complementary wear measurement methods to introduce the advantages of using radioactive isotopes (RI) for wear or corrosion measurements in comparison to other methods. The article provides information on radiation safety regulations and approaches to minimize external radiation exposure. It describes neutron activation, thin layer or surface layer activation, and ultrathin layer or recoil activation that are used to create radioactive isotopes in the samples to be tested. The article reviews the two common types of wear measurement setup configurations: the direct method and the indirect method. It concludes with a discussion on the practical application of wear measurement using radioactive isotopes.

In-process inspection during composite material lay-up is essential if the structural, dimensional, and environmental performance designed into a part is to be consistently achieved. This article discusses the requirements to be met by the facilities and equipment to produce high-quality composites. It reviews the procedures that are allowed and prohibited in controlled-contamination areas of lay-up. The article emphasizes significant areas, such as material control and lay-up process, in which quality-control personnel can be effective in preventing production problems. It concludes with a discussion on automated tape laying and fiber placement, as well as the numerically aided lay-up process.

Advances in vehicle design and technology require engine coolant technology to minimize the degradation of nonmetals and prevent the corrosion of the metals in the cooling system. This article provides a detailed discussion on the functions, operation, materials, and major components of the cooling system. It discusses various forms of corrosion that occur in cooling systems, including uniform corrosion, galvanic corrosion, crevice corrosion, pitting corrosion, intergranular corrosion, erosion corrosion, and cavitation corrosion. The article presents information on engine coolant base components and inhibitors used for corrosion prevention. It reviews the coolant performance tests recommended by ASTM, SAE, and vehicle manufacturers. The article concludes with a description on the difference between light-duty automotive and heavy-duty diesel engine coolants.

A unidirectional fiber composite (UDC) consists of aligned continuous fibers that are embedded in a matrix. This article describes a variety of analytical methods that are used to determine the various physical properties of the UDC. These properties include elasticity, thermal expansion coefficients, moisture swelling coefficients, static and dynamic viscoelastic properties, conductivity, and moisture diffusivity.

This article describes two analysis methods that are used to determine the life of aircrafts: fatigue life and fracture mechanics methods. The life limiting factors that control the durability of the aircraft are also discussed. The article provides an overview of the various approaches to corrosion identification and prevention. These include safe-life, fail-safe, and damage tolerance approaches. The article discusses their application to the process of extending the life of aircraft structural components.

This article reviews the various types of mechanical testing methods, including hardness testing; tension testing; compression testing; dynamic fracture testing; fracture toughness testing; fatigue life testing; fatigue crack growth testing; and creep, stress-rupture, and stress-relaxation testing. Shear testing, torsion testing, and formability testing are also discussed. The discussion of tension testing includes information about stress-strain curves and the properties described by them.

This article is a comprehensive collection of terms related to corrosion fundamentals, testing, and protection.