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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Tyra Banks
Mel Brooks
James Patterson
Michael Jordan
Paul McCartney
The Eagles
J.K. Rowling
Will Smith
George Lucas
Elton John
Bruce Springsteen
Celine Dion
Jerry Seinfeld
George Lopez
Nicole Kidman
Paris Hilton
Muhammad Ali
Carson Palmer
Rod Stewart
Alex Rodriguez
Oprah Winfrey
Adriana Lima
Jessica Simpson
Nathan Lane
Maria Sharapova
Serena Williams
Ronaldinho
Rush Limbaugh
Eric Idle
Tom Hanks
Katie Couric
Regis Philbin
Simon Cowell
Jim Carrey
Renee Zellweger
Cast of The Sopranos
Rolling Stones
Rachael Ray
Kiefer Sutherland
Peter Jackson
Nicole Richie
Derek Jeter
Emeril Lagasse
Ray Romano
Howard Stern
Halle Berry
Larry the Cable Guy
John Grisham
David Beckham
Scarlett Johansson
The Olsen Twins
Ryan Seacrest
Phil Mickelson
Donald Trump
Adam Sandler
Dick Wolf
Neil Diamond
Jay Leno
Valentino Rossi
50 Cent
Michelle Wie
Reese Witherspoon
Diane Sawyer
Denzel Washington
LeBron James
Heidi Klum
Jerry Bruckheimer
Housewives
Dave Chappelle
Mario Batali
Jodie Foster
Dan Brown
Rick Warren
Tom Brady
Steven Spielberg
Kate Moss
Cameron Diaz
Leonardo DiCaprio
Venus Williams
Tom Cruise
Michael Schumacher
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Mike Nichols
Gisele Bundchen
Sean Combs
Annika Sorenstam
Tiger Woods
Angelina Jolie
Jennifer Lopez
David Letterman
Jennifer Aniston
Johnny Depp
Kobe Bryant
Brad Pitt
Ty Pennington Dave Matthews Band
Wolfgang Puck
Matthew Broderick