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Metallurgical Engineering

Metallurgical engineering is problem solving or development of products using the engineering disciplines of materials science and metallurgy. If metallurgy is the development and production of metallic components, then a simple explanation of metallurgical engineering is optimizing the metallic elements and compounds for a specific function.

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

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.

Tribologists and scientists continue to look for relationships between metallurgical engineering and analysis and metal fatigue and failure. Tribology by definition is the studying of the wear of moving parts. Of huge importance is the fact that all metal parts will wear and the prediction of such wear can save much time, energy and money.

The largest markets in engineering currently are automobiles and aircrafts (commercial and military), and the vehicles are required to be reliable and safe. When parts wear, material is removed and the integrity of the part is compromised, therefore unable to perform its function 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

When designing or producing or improving a new, or existing product, you need to be aware of the infinite related engineering disciplines needed to work out the engineering issues at hand. Often a small business will not have on staff the proper engineering qualified individual. It is here that an engineering consultant comes into play and can help small business owners over the hurdle of technology and research required.

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.

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.

You can gain a huge amount of information and expertise in your field or market from employing the right engineering consultant. Consultants are specialists in the field and problem solvers at heart. The situation provides companies and businesses with a market to outsource consulting and gain engineering skills.

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.

Article Source: http://articleaddict.com

David Niebuhr, Engineer, Metallurgical Expert Witness, Metallurgy Consultant
This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.

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