Metallurgical Engineering

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.

Aluminum, copper, titanium and nickel are commonly studied and experimented with in metallurgical engineering. We create alloys by mixing these elements and metallic compounds, each of which will have properties and characteristics distinctly different than the others. Metallurgical engineers often are called upon to develop specific alloys to meet specific requirements and design criteria.

These measurable characteristics are cost, weight, strength, hardness, and fatigue resistance to name a few. Another important feature of an alloy that metallurgical engineering specialists are interested in is the maximum temperature the alloy can handle and its performance at that temperature.

Tribology

The science of friction, or more specifically, the study of moving parts that rub against each other, is Tribology. The study of lubrication and wear and the pro active materials to prevent wear is a very important part of tribology. All motors, bearing and other moving parts of any machine require a study of tribology for friction and wear.

Leonardo da Vinci began studying tribology (although the term was not coined until recently) and specified the laws of friction in the 14th century. He observed that weight and distance are proportionate to friction generated. The first tests of tribology were carried out in the late 1700's and shed light on the wear rates of gold coins.

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.

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.

Engineering consultants are simply specialists in a specific area of engineering or a particular type of problem solving situation. Companies and businesses of all sizes and types can utilize engineering consultants to either outsource work or to gain an extensive amount of 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 Consultant, David Niebuhr Metallurgical Engineer for Mechanical Degradation

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