Gold electroplating was invented in 1840. During the first 100 years electrodeposited gold was used primarily for its aesthetic appeal as a decorative finish. This article provides a description of the gold plating process and the electrolytes used. It discusses the decorative and industrial applications of gold plating. The article reviews factors affecting the dragout of gold solution.

Porcelain enamel is a fusion bonded glass coating that resists chemical and abrasive attack, provides thermal and electrical insulation, and improves aesthetic qualities. It is used on cast iron as well as steel and aluminum alloys. This article provides a review of the porcelain enameling process, the composition of frits, and the preparation of coating substrates. It also provides information on chemical, mechanical, and electrical properties and sheds light on process consistency and quality control.

Coatings and other surface modifications are used for a variety of functional, economic, and aesthetic purposes. Two major applications of thermal spray coatings are for wear resistance and corrosion resistance. This article discusses thermal (surface hardening) and thermochemical (carburizing, nitriding, and boriding) surface modifications, electrochemical treatments (electroplating, and anodizing), chemical treatments (electroless plating, phosphating, and hot dip coating), hardfacing, and thermal spray processes. It provides information on chemical and physical vapor deposition techniques such as conventional CVD, laser-assisted CVD, cathodic arc deposition, molecular beam epitaxy, ion plating, and sputtering.

Injection molding is a process of forcing or injecting a fluid plastic material into a closed mold. The process generally has the advantages of being more readily automated and of permitting finer part details. Injection-molding compounds are thermoplastic or thermosetting materials and their composites that are specifically formulated for the injection-molding process. This article discusses the injection molding process, which includes the two basic categories of thermoplastic and thermoset injection molding, and lists the common thermoplastic and thermoset molding compounds and applications. It also describes the operation of the different types of injection molding machines as well as mold design and process controls. The article also describes the selection of injection-moldable thermosets, and provides an overview of part performance, properties, blowing agents, and aesthetic concerns related to thermoplastic structural-foam injection molding.

One of the most frequently cited advantages of ceramics in dentistry relates to aesthetics, and the same applies for dental implants. Zirconia has emerged as the material of choice for nonmetal implants. This article introduces the reader to zirconia as an implant material, its properties, manufacturing processes, and the particular surface modifications and treatments that have rendered its surfaces biologically compatible with peri-implant soft and hard tissues.

This article provides background information needed by design engineers to create part designs optimized for plastics and plastic manufacturing processes. It describes the four essential elements of plastic part development, namely, material, process, tooling, and design, and provides general design rules for the plastic forming processes covered. It also discusses the steps involved in design validation and verification.

This datasheet provides information on key alloy metallurgy, and processing effects on physical and mechanical properties of the extrusion alloy 6042. It provides a comparison of characteristics of the alloy 6042 with related alloys and tempers.

An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is a support designed to regulate the ankle's position and mobility, compensate for weakness, or rectify abnormalities. This article focuses on the biomechanical affects and mechanical properties of custom-made 3D-printed AFOs and compares them to traditionally created AFOs. Investigations in the fields of 3D scanning, 3D printing, and computer-aided design and analysis for the production of custom-made AFOs are also covered.

This article discusses the composition of the major components of dental composite resins: organic resin matrix, filler, coupling agents, and initiator-accelerator systems. It describes the properties of composite resins that are related to the amount and type of filler and resin-matrix compositions. The article also discusses the compositions, properties, and clinical applications of polyacid-modified composite resins and resin-modified glass-ionomer cements. It concludes with information on biodegradation and biocompatibility of resin-based restorative materials.

This article provides a basic overview of bridge corrosion, where it occurs on steel and concrete bridge structures, and how to prevent corrosion by using coatings. It describes types of bridge designs, with illustrations, and presents information on how corrosion occurs in different bridge zones and areas, with illustrations. The article concludes with a discussion on the common methods of coating systems applications on bridge structures and key elements in coating condition assessment.

This article identifies the coatings applied to many substrates for both beautification and protection, and the inherent conflicts that exist between the coatings and the buildings they are designed to protect; emphasis is placed on masonry walls. It provides information on the purposes of the coatings in the commercial buildings. The article briefly describes some of the most common types of substrates found in buildings and the coatings commonly associated with each substrate. The selection of the coating system depends on the substrate and service expectations. The article addresses the primary causes of masonry coating problems and also provides a detailed discussion on the wall design considerations, moisture considerations, and coating system challenges in the masonry buildings.

Ferrous metals are metals that contain primarily iron and may have small amounts of other elements added to give the desired properties. This article discuses the characteristics of steel products used in most industries, including construction, automotive, energy, shipping, and agriculture. These products include bars, rods, wires, hot and cold rolled sheets, strip plates, tin mill products, steel tubes, castings, and forgings. The article also provides information on the methods used to prevent or control the rusting of ferrous materials, namely, alloying, coating, and covering.

This article addresses the general effects of the composition, mechanical treatment, surface treatment, and processing on the corrosion resistance of aluminum and aluminum alloys. There are five major alloying elements: copper, manganese, silicon, magnesium, and zinc, which significantly influence the properties of aluminum alloys. There are organic coatings or paints that provide a barrier between a corrosive environment and aluminum surface. Inorganic coatings, including claddings, and enhanced oxides, such as anodized films, Boehmite films, and conversion coatings also help in corrosion prevention. The article assists in the information on selection of fabrication operations, as they play an important role in corrosion resistance.

Specific machining processes that employ electrochemical machining technology include deburring and deep-hole drilling. This article describes the principle and applications of electrochemical deburring as well as the machine tools used in the process. The system, process capabilities, and applications of electrochemical deep-hole drilling are also discussed. The article also reviews the pulse electrochemical machining.

A coating can be defined as a substance spread over a surface to provide protection or to serve decorative purposes. This article discusses two industrial coating components, namely, nonvolatile components such as the resin or binder, pigments, and any additives that may be incorporated into the formulation; and volatile components such as solvents, or water in emulsions and their composition. It provides general information on volatile organic compounds. The article describes the film-forming mechanisms of various coating types, namely, lacquers, chemically converting coatings, latex coatings, alkyds and other resins, which cure by oxidation, moisture-curing polyurethanes and inorganic zinc primers, and powder coatings. The article concludes with a discussion on the functions of the primer, intermediate coat, and topcoat in coating systems.

Composites, particularly fiber-reinforced polymer materials, are increasingly being adopted or considered as alternatives to conventional materials for civil infrastructure applications, such as bridges, buildings, waterfront structures, waste treatment facilities, and facilities for transmission and transport of utilities. This article provides information on seismic retrofit applications and discusses the repair and strengthening of components, such as beams, slabs, large-diameter pipes, and bridge decks.