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.

Metals or metallic compounds are seen in everyday applications like vehicles, jewelry or a tube of toothpaste. The material used in the tube of toothpaste is likely not the same material used in a vehicle or a necklace - each application requires different metallurgical properties to enable that product to be marketable. The development and advancement of metallurgical engineering in the latest century has enabled us to build bridges that hold unimaginable weight, aircrafts that are lightweight while still being extremely powerful, and engine parts that are more durable and can withstand very high temperatures.

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.

Cost, strength, hardness, fatigue resistance and weight for sure, and many more. Alloys are also researched and developed with high temperature performance in mind where the alloys need to withstand heat, such as in motors and jets engines.

Tribology

Tribology is the science of specific mechanisms that occur due to moving parts that rub against each other. The mechanisms that present during the persistent rubbing that occurs in daily operation of such moving parts are friction and wear. Studying lubrication or other protective materials to prevent wear is part of tribology and is most often pertains to bearing designs.

The field of tribology was not truly brought into the limelight until the late 1700s when the wear rate of gold coins was researched and tested. In the 14th century Leonardo da Vinci studied tribology and wrote of the laws of friction. Nothing between those two dates has been recorded in history.

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.

The vehicle market, automobiles and aircraft, are by far the largest markets in engineering today. These vehicles need to be completely reliable and safe, with emphasis of safety. When parts wear, they become unstable, experience a loss of integrity and are plainly compromised with a loss of safety. Metallurgical engineers take great pains in provided the best engineering to create the best of parts for these markets. Parts on the market of all of the highest caliber and made from the proper materials.

It is demanded to study tribology for engine component design. Railroad systems, bearings as well. It is important to utilize the right metals for these parts to minimize wear and failure. Metallurgical engineers work with a team to ensure the proper materials are used and expectations are met for durability.

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.

Huge corporations often fall into the same niche when expanding their business. When moving into new markets these large corporations will employ engineering consultant in order to research their product line, market and price requirements for their new products, as well as materials to be used to make a good product, that will stand up to what the public will use it for. Consultants can usually aid in assembly techniques and processes as well.

The consulting process, depending on your needs, could employ a separate consultant for each project or one generalized consultant to oversee an entire project or transition into a new market. Engineering consultants are familiar with these procedures and methods and will provide you with the service you need.

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.

A few types of engineering consultants' specific disciplines are aerospace engineering, metallurgical engineering, materials engineering, automotive engineering, structures engineering, industrial engineering and manufacturing engineering. These engineers would work together with the team to solve a critical issue with the business. The demand for engineering consultants is growing more and more each year as technology is advancing and standards are increasing.

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Metallurgy Consultants - Alloy Mixture, Alloy Selection
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