This chapter provides an overview of the thermodynamics of extrusion. It begins by presenting a thermodynamic model of the extrusion process expressed in the form of finite difference equations. It then explains how the model accounts for multiple sources of heat generation, the influence of principal variables on temperature rise, and different types of temperature measurements. It also discusses the benefits of isothermal extrusion and how it achieves consistent mechanical properties in extruded components.

This chapter describes the basics of energy and entropy and “free energy.” Fundamentals of internal energy U , the enthalpy H , entropy S , free energies G , and F of a substance are presented. The chapter also presents the thermal vibration model to promote a better understanding of the U , S , and F of the crystal. It covers basic concepts of thermodynamics of magnetic transition and discusses the role and the meaning of magnetic transition in iron and steel. The chapter concludes with a general discussion on an amorphous phase from a thermodynamic viewpoint.

This chapter provides information on the selection of steel and the design of its heat treatment. It also discusses the purpose of this book.

Increasing growth of high-pressure cold spraying applications on the industrial scale have forced global powder producers to face this challenge and develop specific powders for cold spray applications. This chapter provides information on the properties, classification, characteristics, manufacturing, and procedures for packaging of powders specific to cold spray applications.

An induction heating system consists of a source of alternating current (ac), an induction coil, and the workpiece to be heated. This chapter describes the basic phenomena underlying induction heating with respect to the interactions between the coil and the workpiece. The chapter reviews the mechanistic basis for induction heating and provides an example of eddy-current distribution in a solid bar. The chapter defines two important concepts in the technology of induction heating: equivalent resistance and electrical efficiency. The chapter concludes with a discussion of methods for determination of power requirements for a given application.

Specific heat is a fundamental property that relates the total heat per unit mass added to a system to the resultant temperature change of the system. This chapter begins with the definition and historical development of specific heat. Thermodynamic and solid state relationships are presented which include discussions about lattice specific heat and the effects of magnetic and superconducting transitions. Data sources for practical applications and methods of estimating specific heat for materials are also included. The chapter concludes with a section concerning the measurement of specific heat at low temperatures.

This chapter describes the iron-carbon phase diagram, its modification by alloying elements, and the effect of carbon on the chemistry and crystallography of austenite, ferrite, and cementite found in Fe-C alloys and steels. It also lays the groundwork for understanding important metallurgical concepts, including solubility, critical temperature, dislocation defects, slip, and diffusion, and how they affect the microstructure, properties, and behaviors of steel.

This chapter describes various units and process streams that are often susceptible corrosion inhibitors in crude oil refineries, discusses the types and applications of corrosion inhibitors, and provides some information on corrosion monitoring techniques used at refineries.

This chapter discusses the selection, use, and integration of methods to control process variables in induction heating, including control of workpiece and processing temperature and materials handling systems. The discussion of temperature control includes a review of proportional controllers and heat-regulating devices. Integration of control functions is illustrated with examples related to heating of steel slabs, surface hardening of steel parts, vacuum induction melting for casting operations, and process optimization for electric-demand control. Distributed control within larger manufacturing systems is discussed. The chapter also covers nondestructive techniques for process control and methods for process simulation.

The physical properties of a material are those properties that can be measured or characterized without the application of force and without changing material identity. This chapter discusses in detail the common physical properties of metals, namely density, electrical properties, thermal properties, magnetic properties, and optical properties. Some physical properties for a number of metals are given in a table.

Users of steel castings establish performance requirements for specific characteristics of the castings based on the planned use. They express tolerance for variation in those characteristics to the producer of the castings. One issue which should never be taken for granted in considering capability and tolerances is the ability to measure with accuracy and precision (repeatability and reproducibility). This chapter discusses the methods for measuring accuracy and precision. It describes the variation of process characteristics, capability indices in general use, and factors related to process performance and tolerance specification.

There are numerous approximate methods, both analytical and numerical, for analyzing forging processes. None are perfect because of the assumptions made to simplify the mathematical approach, but all have merit. This chapter discusses the slab, upperbound, and finite element methods, covering basic principles, implementation, and advantages and disadvantages in various applications.

Cold spray is a process technology that, for the first time, enables the rapid deposition of a wide range of metals and some other materials in the solid state at temperatures far below their melting points. This chapter provides an overview of the processes involved in cold spray process technologies, namely high-pressure cold spray (HPCS) and low-pressure cold spray (LPCS), explaining differences of LPCS from HPCS. It summarizes the historical background of the cold spray process. The growing international interest in the cold spray process from the early 2000s is also reviewed.

This chapter provides an introduction to metal forming processes and where they fit among the five general areas of manufacturing. It also discusses the basic differences between bulk deformation and sheet-metal forming processes and how they relate to hybrid forming processes such as drawing, bending, and coining.

This chapter describes various aspects of the billet making process and how they affect the quality of aluminum extrusions. It begins with an overview of the direct-chill continuous casting technique and its advantages over other methods, particularly for hard aluminum alloys. It then discusses the influence of casting variables, including pouring temperature and cooling rate, and operating considerations such as the make-up of charge materials, fluxing and degassing procedures, and grain refining. The chapter also provides information on vertical and horizontal casting systems, billet homogenization, and the cause of casting defects, including cracking and splitting, segregation, porosity, and grain growth.

Generally, binders consist of at least three ingredients: a backbone to provide strength (compounds such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, and polystyrene); a filler, such as polyacetal and paraffin wax, to occupy space between particles; and additives, such as stearates, stearic acid, or magnesium stearate, as well as phosphates and sulfonates, to adjust viscosity, lubricate tooling, disperse particles, or induce binder wetting of the powder. In the case of binders deposited via ink jet printing, the binder contains solvents to lower the viscosity for easier jetting. The chapter provides a detailed description of these constituents. The requirements of a binder as well as the factors determining the physical and thermal properties of polymers are discussed. Then, two factors associated with solvation of polymers, namely solubility parameter and wetting, are covered. The chapter ends with information on the specification of polymers used in binders.