Metallurgical Engineering
Optimizing metallic compounds and elements provides a simple, yet basic, explanation or definition of metallurgy engineering. Problem solving and development of products, using engineering principles and the science of materials and metallurgy is indeed metallurgical engineering.
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.
Common metals that are studied and experimented with in metallurgical engineering are aluminum, copper, nickel and titanium. Mixing these metallic elements with other metallic compounds create alloys, each which have distinct characteristics. Often, engineers call upon metallurgical engineers to develop or find a specific alloy that will satisfy a list of design criteria that needs to be met for a component.
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 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.
It’s very important to metallurgical engineers that when engine components, lock-gates, bearings or railroad system are designed, tribology is studied and proper configuration and materials are utilized for all parts in question.
Engineering Consultant
In any engineering business, whether designing a new concept or producing and improving an already established product, there is an infinite number of related disciplines that need to work together as a team. Sometimes small businesses do not staff for each engineering field that is needed for a project and rely on an engineering consultant, as a certified expert in that needed field.
Many large corporations utilize engineering consultants when expanding into new fields and new markets. If an automobile manufacturer decides to go into the jet engine business, it is the perfect opportunity to utilize an engineering consultant, or even consultants, to introduce them to the new market. This is the perfect way to familiarize themselves with design, processes of manufacture, materials and techniques of the engineering standards and requirements.
This process of consulting could include a different engineering consultant for each topic or a single general engineering consultant to oversee the 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 consultants are specific to industries. Automotive, structures engineering, aerospace, materials engineering, manufacturing engineering and metallurgical engineering are a few. These engineers realize the need to work with a team to solve critical issues within industry and individual businesses. Demand is up for these engineers and will more than likely continue to grow.
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