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Metallurgical Engineering |
By:
David Niebuhr |
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Metallurgical Engineering
by David Niebuhr
Metallurgical engineering defines problems, or development of products, via disciplines of metallurgy and materials science. Metallurgy being the production and development of metallic components proves metallurgical engineering is simply coordinating and improving compounds and metallic elements for any defined or desired operation.
Metallic compounds can be found in jewelry, vehicles and many items we use in our everyday life. The marketability of each product requires it's slight change in metallurgical properties in order to be utilized in a manner consistent with the item required. Advances in metallurgical engineering over the past 100 years has brought to our market steel engine parts, durable building materials, bridges, high temperature withstanding steels, aircrafts light in weight yet strong and durable. We also see jewelry, a necklace or tube of toothpaste and must compare the wide ranging properties of metals to create such a wide market of products.
Nickel, copper, titanium and aluminum are all common metals utilized in metallurgical engineering. Engineers will combine these elements in strict amounts to develop specific alloys for specific requirements. Often times the design of a product requires a specific metal compound. An engineering consultant or engineer can research, experiment and create the perfect alloy for the job at hand.
Generally, the requirements fall into weight, strength, hardness, fatigue resistance and cost categories. Other important considerations are operating temperatures, both hot and cold and extremes of durability of operation in these conditions. It is no accident that your engine holds up to continued use not only in sub-zero winter temperatures, but also in extremely hot summer conditions.
Tribology
The science of specific mechanisms is knows as Tribology, which is about moving parts that touch and rub against each other. Friction and wear are problems that these mechanisms experience and that metallurgical engineers attempt to eliminate. Heat and wear analysis will show failure points. Tribology covers research into protective materials and lubrications to curb wear in moving parts and particularly items such as bearing.
Leonardo da Vinci studied tribology and realized the laws of friction back in the 14th century era. Leonardo realized that distance and weight are proportionate to the amount friction generated. The term did not actually exist back, nor the field as we know of it today. Tribology was born in the late 1700s when the first tests were carried out. It was all about gold coins then and how quickly they would wear.
Scientists, and more specifically tribologists, are continually discovering more relationships to be used in metallurgical engineering and failure analysis. The importance of tribology lies in the definition - studying the wear of moving parts.
Automobiles and both commercial and military aircraft are the largest markets today for metallurgical engineering. These forms of transportation need to be safe and reliable. As they get older the parts experience compromised integrity and do not perform reliably.
Studying tribology when designing engine components, railroad systems, waterway lock-gates or roller bearings is critical in aiding the metallurgical engineers and other teammates in choosing the optimal configuration and material for the parts.
Engineering Consultant
An engineering consultant is often relied on to be an expert in a needed field. Often businesses do not employ the proper engineer on their staff and utilize the services of outside engineers to meet their needs. Working together as a team is integral to achieving the desired results and designing and producing required parts. The engineering consultant field is well utilized and provides the input and research needed in the marketplace.
On the other side of the spectrum, large corporations also use engineering consultants as when emerging into a new market or un-chartered territory, like an automotive engine manufacturer expanding to build jet engines as well. The company in this example would hire an engineering consultant to ensure that the design, materials, manufacturing processes and assembly techniques are up to the latest engineering standards.
Often a different engineering consultant will be drafted for the different topics or projects involved in the business expansion. Sometimes one individual or a firm will be hired on to coordinate an entire transition.
Basically only specialists in a specific field or market, engineering consultants are problem solvers. Industry utilizes these individuals to solve problems, work out issues, research product requirements, materials and to gain experience and expertise in a precise scope of work.
Some consultant are specific to certain industries, aerospace comes to mind, as well as automotive. In cases such as this it is often beneficial to find an engineering consultant with specializes in your exact market or field. The added targeted experience will be sure to provide you with more targeted and positive results. They will work with your team and together find the exact solutions to the problems and issues that will arise over time, and during the initial setup and transition phases.
David Niebuhr - Materials Engineering - MetallurgyConsultants.com Click here for other unique 'Consulting' articles.
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Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article53824.html |
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