What We Know About the Properties of Water Just Changed
The properties of water is something that we are all familiar with (hopefully). It is an important part of everyone’s life, as humans are made
Category: Engineering Materials
Injection Moulding: Applications and Materials
While many people may not be aware, injection moulding is used to create a whole range of the everyday products we use. The applications of
10 Engineering Materials You Must NEVER Use
Are you an engineer in the industrial or commercial sector? If you are part of the design team, you must know that selecting the best
Sustainability Quantified: Key Environmental Indicators in Sustainable Material Selection
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a central aspect of our world, particularly within the materials industry. Multiple sustainability indicators within environmental, economic, and social schemes are
Video of the Day: Indestructible Gloves
The Schmitz Mittz, are taking hand protection to another level. Designed to be practically indestructible, these gloves are made for those who rescue people that
Video of the Day: 3D Printing Human Skin
Functional human skin can now be 3D printed with an adapted printer that covers cuts and wounds with skin cells. 3D printed skin cells heal
Video of the Day: Massive 2000°C flame vs. Aerogel infused blanket
Aerogel-infused fiberglass blanket is able to withstand severe 2,000 Celcius heat generated by a flamethrower. Silica aerogel has a sponge-like structure with tiny passages just
Video of the Day: “Second skin” polymer material developed at MIT
The researchers developed a silicone-based polymer that mimics the mechanical and elastic properties of skin. The material uses siloxane-containitng chemicals. Siloxane is a chain of
What types of materials can be coated in Parylene and how to avoid costly mistakes
The most popular question about Parylene: “Can my xxx be Parylene coated?” The number of substrate surfaces that can be coated with parylene is plenty.
Top 5 Hottest Engineering Topics for 2020
These are exciting times to be involved in engineering. The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR or Industry 4.0 – whichever you prefer) is in full swing.
What is Parylene coating and when should you use it?
Deciding on the ideal coating for your engineering application is always a very difficult task, you need to decide on chemical, process, mechanical and component
The Melting Point of Steel Alloys
In simple terms, the melting point of steel for example, is the temperature when it starts to change from a solid state to a liquid.
3D Printing with Metal Powders
Metal additive manufacturing (AM) has been steadily gaining traction in the manufacturing industry. At present, there is a big focus on advanced aerospace, medical and
Wrought iron vs cast iron: A comparative analysis
Iron is one of the most alloyed elements on earth. It combines with various elements to form numerous materials. These materials all have different desirable
Torlon | polyamide-imide (PAI) – properties and applications
Do you know a thermoplastic as highly performing as Torlon®? The other name for this strong material is polyamide-imide (PAI). PAI’s excellent chemical and physical
Metamaterials – explanation and applications
The dimensioning of materials to suit our needs has soared in the last decade through the use of composites. There are other materials though, human
Polypropylene properties and uses
Polypropylene is widely regarded as one of the most versatile plastics. Just look around and you will surely spot it, albeit in different forms –
What is thermochromic paint? Where is it used?
Before we look at the many reasons why you would use thermochromic paint, it is worth reminding ourselves exactly what we are talking about. In
316 Stainless Steel Properties and Applications
Grade 316 stainless steel is a highly corrosion resistant type of standard grade stainless steel. Have you ever wondered why this alloy fits in such
772 Aluminium Alloy overview and material properties
772 aluminium alloy is a high strength alloy that is widely used in aerospace applications due to its high shock and corrosion resistance properties. The
Biomaterials: Read this and be an expert in 10 minutes!
While biomaterials have made enormous progress in recent times, the concept of biomaterials has been around for centuries. In its most basic form it goes
3D Printed Biomaterials, and the first 3D printed organ
One of the new trends within the additive manufacturing sector is bioprinting (otherwise known as 3D printed biomaterials) which has shown promising results when looking
Density of wood in kg/m3, g/cm3, lb/ft3 – the ultimate guide
Wood is a natural resource that comes from trees, and has been used for centuries in a vast amount of different applications from furniture and
6061 Aluminum Properties
It is the 6061 aluminum properties that make it one of the most widely used aluminum alloys, being applied in various fields since 1935. A member
Material Selection in the Digital Age
Too much choice can be paralysing. Just think if you went to a shop to pick up some glue and there were thousands of different
Ti-6Al-4V Titanium – Essential Reading
Stronger than some steels, but almost 45% lighter….. Twice as strong as aluminium, but just about 60% heavier….. That’s titanium for you! Titanium is a
When Lego and Origami Inspire New Materials
The primary source of human inspiration is nature. To a generation that grew up with cartoons and games all around them, maybe it is not
The Galvanic Series – the essential guide
Have you been wanting to understand more about the Galvanic Series – what it is exactly, and how it can help you make decisions about
Gold engineering alloys – the ultimate guide
Let’s talk about gold engineering alloys. Gold has been one of the most revered precious metals from the birth of civilisation. As a symbol of
304 Stainless Steel Properties
In this article, we’re going to look at 304 stainless steel properties and what makes it such a popular choice across a range of applications.
Maraging Steel: Unique Properties and Uses
While there are many materials which are tough and long-lasting and others which are malleable it is difficult to find materials which have all of
A Quick Guide to Ferrous Metals
Have you noticed how some materials rust over time, due to prolonged exposure to the environment? Those materials invariably contain iron and are called ferrous
Making Carbon Fibre More Cost Effective
Lightweight and extremely rigid, carbon fibre was a game changer for the aerospace and motorsport industry. Although some manufacturers have been doing a good job
Amazing materials: Transparent Wood
Transparent wood is a type of a composite material that has the potential to revolutionise the fields of construction and the manufacturing of various products. It
4 Unique Engineering Materials you have never heard of
Metals, plastic, ceramics, and composites are used by engineers every day. We all know common properties like; metals are strong but heavy, plastics are lighter
INVAR: The amazing super-low thermal expansion alloy you’ve never heard of – that’s been around for over 100 years.
While it is highly likely that many people have never heard of Invar this is an alloy which has been round for more than 100
Recycling Carbon Fibre
Since the turn of the century, carbon fibre and composites have been the making of the aerospace and aeronautics industry: their mechanical properties and lightweight,
What is Marlex and what is it used for?
Like so many of the most influential feats of industry the vast majority of us will have no idea what Marlex is, what it does
What are Wacker silicones?
Wacker Group is the leading light in the world of silicones with a history going back to 1903. Engineers across the globe will forever be
3D Woven Interlock Composites
There was a time when the idea of using textile material for primary load parts was scary. Thankfully we now live in the post-era of
