Nuclear's new age

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Pebble-bed reactors use 330,000 tennis-ball-sized fuel elements in place of conventional fuel rods.

Secrets of Bond Strength

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:00:00 -0500

David Bieniak
Huntsman Advanced Materials Australia
Victoria, Australia

Edited by Jean M. Hoffman

Plastic replacements for metal parts and assemblies are a hot topic these days. Automotive and aerospace manufacturers use plastics to cut weight and boost fuel efficiency. Similarly, plastics are used to make durable, easy-to-mold, lightweight housings and internal components for other industries as well.

Materials EngineeringL Bumper-to-Bumper Looks That Last

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:00:00 -0500

Edited by Jean M. Hoffman

The three-door 500 is based on the Fiat’s Panda platform. Designers didn’t disappoint — European journalists named it Car of the Year for 2008. The eye-catching concepts come thanks in part to savvy material selection. They include a large bumper with outstanding scratch resistance, a Class-A smooth surface finish, and good paintability.

Latest Green Technology: Stronger Soft-Plastic Fishing Lures

Thu, 22 May 2008 02:00:00 -0500

Jean M. Hoffman

Each year, more than 12,000 tons of rubbery “soft baits” land at the bottom of lakes, streams, and rivers, says Hobbins, president of Lake Resources Group Inc., Waunakee, Wis.

A touch of Midas

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0500

The spray process is available for precious metals, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, iron, pewter, stainless steel, tin and zinc, plus alloys of these metals.

The process uses sintered metal in a two-part resin system. The metal undergoes an exothermic cure reaction and sets into solid metal that can be polished, aged, textured, or otherwise treated as any thinly applied metal coating, such as silver plate. With Metall-FX, a trained technician simply primes the surface, sprays the liquid metal in a manner similar to applying paint to a car, and “walks away.”

Materials: Controversy Brewing Over PVC in Toys

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0500

Jean M. Hoffman
Senior Editor

In February, Toys“R”Us Inc. joined the ranks of Sears Holdings (Sears and Kmart), Wal-Mart, and Target when it announced a new policy: It will systematically phase out products containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl). The toy retailer was responding to consumers concerned about numerous toy recalls last year and an aggressive anti-PVC campaign spearheaded by the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice (CHEJ).

Hollow but strong

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0500

Containers made from POM reportedly have better barrier properties against gases such as oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide than those made from polyethylene (PE).

Puttin’ the Pedal to the Metal

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0500

Edited by Jean M. Hoffman

The accelerator-pedal sensors are used to detect the pedal position and produce pedal-force feedback. German system supplier Hella was the first to develop integrated electronic accelerator-pedal sensors for diesel and gasoline engines.

Stronger and Lighter — Composites Make Their Mark

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:00:00 -0500

Carl Zweben, Ph. D.
ASME LIFE FELLOW

Edited by Jean M. Hoffman

Bull's-eye for carbon-reinforced polyamide

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:00:00 -0600

To this end, German dart supplier Evolution Dart-Technologie used carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide (PA66) to improve reliability and prolong the performance life of its products.

More articles by Jean M. Hoffman

Nuclear's new age

Secrets of Bond Strength

Materials EngineeringL Bumper-to-Bumper Looks That Last

Latest Green Technology: Stronger Soft-Plastic Fishing Lures

A touch of Midas

Materials: Controversy Brewing Over PVC in Toys

Hollow but strong

Puttin’ the Pedal to the Metal

Stronger and Lighter — Composites Make Their Mark

Bull's-eye for carbon-reinforced polyamide