In automotive exhaust systems, 304 and 409 are the most common grades of stainless steel. What else are these grades used for? Why is stainless steel used in cars? What sets these two grades apart?
Stainless steel products are created in a seven-step manufacturing process. Peer into the factory to see how stainless products are made.
Though austenitic stainless steels are expensive they still capture 70% of the market. Learn what makes this rust-resistant, formable, weldable steel stay tough even at cryogenic temperatures.
Steel pipes are commonly used in many industries, from scaffolding poles to sewage tunnels. Learn more about the production, use, and history of steel pipes.
All iron alloys poured in a foundry are cast iron. However, ductile is a relative newcomer…one that is surprisingly flexible.
Trench drain seems simple: it’s a grate on a hardscape surface with a gutter beneath to capture water runoff. Yet there’s a lot to consider, including flow, debris, aesthetics, and load. Check out our post on choosing and installing the right trench for water management.
Bolting or anchoring bollards to uneven ground requires a little preplanning, but sloping surfaces do not prevent their installation. With strategies like grinding, shimming, and grouting, bollards can be securely installed on uneven ground.
A car hitting a bollard may seem like a simple thing to model, but any real-world impact scenario creates a complex system for engineers to evaluate. Learn how impact forces affect a bollard and its surrounding environment in a vehicle crash.
Learn about polyurethane plastic’s properties, uses, and production. How is polyurethane recycled at the end of the product life cycle?
Wheels are one of the classical six simple machines and we think of them as a primitive invention—yet wheels were invented after agriculture and metallurgy. See why wheels are a surprising feat of human engineering.
Metal corrosion can eat away at parts, causing them to fail. Passivation creates a self-healing chemical seal that uses corrosion to defeat corrosion. Learn about passivation in stainless steel, aluminum, and other metals.
In 2014, ASTM introduced low-speed crash ratings for vehicle impact protective devices like bollards, fences, and barriers. Read how low-speed testing differs from high-impact crash testing, and why the standards are needed at all.
Asphalt can soften when exposed to high heat, and there is no way to control its hardness throughout the seasons. Concrete footings can be used to provide a firm foundation for bollard installations into asphalt. Learn more about asphalt properties and bollard installation techniques.
Spectrochemical analysis is used to determine the arrangement of atoms and electrons within molecules of chemical compounds. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is a type of spectrochemical analysis that determines elemental components in solid metal samples, often used in foundries.
Powder-coating is a durable, long-lasting finish for metal objects that protects the objects from corrosion and weathering. Available in colors similar to paint, it can also add visual appeal or visibility. Learn more about powder coating on our blog.
3D printing is a valuable tool for constructing prototypes when making cast metal parts. It speeds up the design process, allowing iteration and adjustment before going to the foundry. Read about how 3D printers are used in the cast metal industry.
Learn more about steel grading systems and the effects of microstructure, hot and cold forming, and heat treatment.
What is hardness testing? The Brinell hardness test, Rockwell hardness test, and Leeb rebound hardness test show the properties of castings.
Learn how to select the right grade and class of ASTM A27 steel for your casting project. Each grade varies based on chemical composition, and type of heat treating needed to affect changes in mechanical properties. Find out the differences between testing steel for tensile strength vs. hardness.
Heat treating metal influences the microstructures of a metal which give the material all its mechanical properties. Learn what changes are made when annealing, normalizing, quenching, or tempering steel.
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