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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.

Metallic compounds can be found in jewelry, vehicles and many items we use in our everyday life. The marketability of each product requires it’s slight change in metallurgical properties in order to be utilized in a manner consistent with the item required. Advances in metallurgical engineering over the past 100 years has brought to our market steel engine parts, durable building materials, bridges, high temperature withstanding steels, aircrafts light in weight yet strong and durable. We also see jewelry, a necklace or tube of toothpaste and must compare the wide ranging properties of metals to create such a wide market of products.

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 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.

The vehicle market, automobiles and aircraft, are by far the largest markets in engineering today. These vehicles need to be completely reliable and safe, with emphasis of safety. When parts wear, they become unstable, experience a loss of integrity and are plainly compromised with a loss of safety. Metallurgical engineers take great pains in provided the best engineering to create the best of parts for these markets. Parts on the market of all of the highest caliber and made from the proper materials.

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.

On the other side of the spectrum, large corporations also use engineering consultants as when emerging into a new market or un-chartered territory, like an automotive engine manufacturer expanding to build jet engines as well. The company in this example would hire an engineering consultant to ensure that the design, materials, manufacturing processes and assembly techniques are up to the latest engineering standards.

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.

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.