The article reviews National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations into multiple Cessna 210 aircraft accidents caused by failed hydraulic actuators in the main landing gear systems. Investigators discovered a pattern of fatigue cracks in 7075-T6 aluminum actuator barrels that initiated at corrosion pits along the retaining ring groove, propagated under cyclic loading, and eventually resulted in circumferential and longitudinal fractures that leaked hydraulic fluid. Although these failures have not yet caused significant injuries, they present serious safety risks by impairing pilots' ability to fully extend and lock the landing gear. The article details the metallurgical examinations that revealed multiple crack initiation sites containing chlorine-rich aluminum oxide pits, some with cadmium remnants from the adjacent steel retainer ring, suggesting potential corrosion mechanisms. The researchers conclude that the combination of thin-walled design, stress concentrations at the retaining ring groove, susceptibility of the high-strength aluminum alloy to corrosion, and possibly inadequate inspection procedures all contributed to these premature failures, prompting ongoing work with the FAA to address the issue.

Laser shock peening is a novel surface engineering method that improves component performance by introducing deep compressive residual stress. It has demonstrated significant benefits in safety-critical applications such as aerospace engines. Ongoing research focuses on lowering the cost and increasing equipment flexibility.

Single crystal and directionally solidified casting processes are among the most complex techniques available, requiring stringent process control and a thorough understanding of engineered materials and specialty alloys. This article examines how an aerospace material company utilizes advanced investment casting techniques to create components that meet the increasingly demanding requirements of modern aerospace and gas turbine engines. The article highlights how solidification modeling and integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) have accelerated development processes by predicting material behaviors and optimizing casting parameters without extensive experimental testing.

Optimized high-velocity oxy-fuel spraying of fine-cut WC-NiCr powder results in dense, crack-free, and ductile coatings, with a smoother as-sprayed surface that is expected to reduce grinding efforts and enhance coating performance. These coatings are candidates for replacing hexavalent chromium plating in high-performance applications.

This article describes the development and evaluation of a novel atmospheric plasma spray torch designed to overcome limitations in coating internal diameter surfaces. A case study demonstrates the torch's effectiveness in producing high-quality thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for turbine components, applying NiCoCrAlY+HfSi bond coats and 8 wt% YSZ topcoats with appropriate porosity levels. Analysis results confirm that this torch delivers comparable performance to conventional torches while enabling the critical capability of operating in confined geometries, addressing a significant gap in thermal spray applications for gas turbine engine components subjected to extreme operating conditions.

The Purdue Heat Treating Consortium works to advance the science of heat treating by turning new technologies into practice. Over the past three years, the consortium has delivered results on projects for new sustainable and environmentally friendly austempering oils and processes, as well as lifecycle analysis of carburization heat treatments.

A dilatometry test is an effective method for characterizing the phase transformation kinetics for heat treatment processing of steels. This study uses computer modeling to examine the root causes of inaccuracies in measured dilatometry displacement data using a quench dilatometer.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: updates from ASM President Navin Manjooran and Executive Director Veronica Becker; ASM strategic plan progress and future direction; toolkit for Emerging Professionals; Indianapolis spring conference; ASM members Long-Qing Chen, Elizabeth Ann Holm, Linda S. Schadler elected to 2025 class of the National Academy of Engineering; In memoriam for Richard Haimbaugh.

Explore the latest information regarding ASM International’s global reach, audience demographics, and core initiatives shaping the future of the materials science and engineering community.

Laser powder bed fusion (LBFP) additive manufacturing is a potential route for the rapid qualification of new materials for use in nuclear reactor design. Process anomalies such as spatter particles can induce lack of fusion (LOF) voids that may adversely affect the material's mechanical performance. This examination of the spatter particle process in a nickel superalloy using X-ray computed tomography and optical microscopy was conducted to identify possible causes for the formation of LOF voids and other variations during LBPF processing.

A set of standardized material specifications and test methods now exists to evaluate and maintain quality in shape memory alloys used for medical devices and actuators. This article summarizes the ASTM standards applicable to shape memory technology in medical and actuation applications, and identifies areas requiring further standardization work.

A new single-step plasma-assisted gas atomization process for metal powder manufacturing can reduce carbon footprint by over 99% compared to traditional methods. This technology uses scrap metals as feedstock, eliminating the need for virgin ores while meeting ASTM/AMS powder quality specifications. Beyond environmental benefits, the innovation addresses material scarcity that has historically constrained the additive manufacturing industry while mitigating supply chain delays and market uncertainties. The process supports manufacturers in achieving environmental goals through significant emissions reduction and localized sourcing.

The use of braided reinforcements enables the creation of composite parts with an efficient fiber architecture and provides manufacturers with a material that results in fewer processing steps and less waste than woven alternatives. The article provides an overview of braiding machinery, braid materials, and properties of braid structures.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: Frederick Schmidt chairs 2025 nominating committee; affiliate societies name committee chairs for 2024-2025 term; updates from ASM President Navin Manjooran and Executive Director Veronica Becker; President Manjooran visits India chapters; Hani Henein recognized for research transfer success; In memoriam for Gordon W. Powell.

This article discussed the development and evaluation of Nitinol devices for the treatment of critical congenital heart diseases in pediatric patients. Devices made with superelastic Nitinol offer flexibility and minimally invasive surgical alternatives for delicate and tortuous vessel anatomy, though further development is needed to accommodate device growth as children develop.

This article highlights some of the best metallographic practices from a laser powder bed fusion laboratory and provides practical observations of the more universal aspects of powder testing.

The U.S. CHIPS and Science Act includes $52 billion in subsidies for domestic semiconductor research and manufacturing. This guest editorial describes the program's scope and potential impact on the microelectronics industry.