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My topic is number 6
the Corvette fiber glass body
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MENG 353 INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS STUDENT PRESENTATION AND REPORT
1. The Industrial Materials class is designed to give you some exposure to different engineering materials. To increase your exposure to different types of materials and material uses, each student in the class will research an assigned topic and then share what they have learned with the class. Below is a list of the report topics. Each one relates to a specialized use of some industrial material. Select a topic that interests you and confirm me over email. If you have a topic in mind that is not on the list that directly relates to industrial materials, ask me and I may let you use it. If the same topic is selected by two students, I will give priority to him/her whose email has been received first. Try to present new and interesting ideas, not things that we would most likely already know. I would like to encourage you to give emphasis on “Composite Materials”
2. Complete a Two-Page report on your topic. Write the report as if the audience of your paper was the class. Depending on which topic you choose, you will either be reporting on an interesting new material, or how a material is being used in a different way, or how different treatments, etc. have made additional uses for a material.
3. Limit yourself to 2 pages, double-spaced. In addition I want a third page with some sort of picture, graph or chart that you find while doing your research that class members would find interesting. Also, I want a fourth page that is a list of the sources you used to obtain your information. You must have at least one additional source besides the ones provided in this topic list. Sources can be books (you might find some information in books in the Tech Library), magazines, websites, or conversations with real live people. Web search engines, such as:
www.askjeeves.com
and
www.google.com
, can be helpful.
4. Put a cover page on your report with the Title, your Name, the words, “MENG 353 – Industrial Materials” and the due date.
5. The due date for Written Report is
Thursday, May 30
. You will provide your written report to me during the class. Late submission will be penalized by 50% for each day.
6. As you prepare your written report, also prepare yourself to give a 7 – 8 minute oral presentation in class about your topic. Your presentation must be more than 6 minutes and less than 9 minutes. You must submit your presentation file (Power Point file) to me over email by Thursday, May 30. Late submission will be penalized by 50% for each day.
7. Your presentation date and time will be notified soon.
8. Make sure to word-process and spell-check your report. I will also be grading you on good grammar and effective organization of the ideas you present in your paper. This is your opportunity to learn how to write “Technical Professional Report”.
9. Additionally, when you make your oral report, I want you to think of yourself as if you are representing a company that produces your material. I want you to present a new or innovative way that this material can be used in
different engineering applications
in hopes that more of your material will be purchased.
10. Finally, if you are having difficulty locating information on your subject, be sure to let the instructor know. Of course, it requires that you get an early start on your research.
The presentation topic will be assigned to students as “First Come First Served” basis. Email three (3) topics with preference number to me (
nhossain@ewu.edu
) at your earliest convenience.
Example:
Preference # 1: Aircraft Window
Preference # 2: Lightweight Composite Materials
Preference # 3: Natural Composites
Student Paper Topics:
1. Plastic Piano Parts
Plastic parts were first tried in piano actions during the 1950’s with less than successful results. Despite their first poor showing, plastic parts are once again being used to replace some wooden parts in Piano actions. Do some research into why piano manufacturers are willing to try plastic again. Find out what they hope to gain from using this non-traditional material. Find out why some manufacturers are very vocal in their criticism of plastic parts. Here are some resources to help get you started:
a. The Kawai Piano company website:
http://www.kawaiusa.com
b. The Piano Technicians Guild website:
http://www.ptg.org
2. Brass Musical Instruments
Certain musical instruments are traditionally made from brass. There are different types of brass, and some manufacturers offer a choice in what type of brass you prefer in the instrument. Do some research into what different types of brass are available, what the differences are between the composition of these brasses, and why someone might choose one material over another for their instrument. Here are some resources to help get you started:
a. The Selmer company website (Bach brand trumpets):
http://www.bachbrass.com
b. Acoustical Society:
http://www.acoustics.org/press/133rd/2amu4.html
3. Structural Honeycomb
Do some research into a material known as “structural honeycomb.” Describe what it is and where it is being used. Discuss the benefits and limitations of this material. Here are some resources to help get you started:
a.
http://www.nida-core.com
b.
http://www.honeycombone.com
4. Composite Musical Instruments
The use of composite materials continues to increase. It is now being used in some very different industries. One of these newer uses is in the production of musical instruments. Do some research into how and why it is being used in the production of musical instruments as well as some of the benefits and drawbacks to its use. Here are some resources to get you started:
a. The Modulus Base guitar company website:
http://www.modulusguitars.com
b. Composite Cellos:
5. Composite Decking Materials
Wooden decks are found on most homes in this area. Recently, newer composite decking materials have been available. Do some research into what this new material is made of and what are its benefits and limitations. Here are some resources to help get you started:
a.
http://www.Trex.com
b.
6. Corvette Fiberglass Body
Composite and polymer materials are starting to be used by automobile manufacturers in the construction of a vehicle’s body panels. There is one car that has had a composite body for many years now. Do some research into the Chevrolet Corvette and its fiberglass body. Discuss some of the history, problems and benefits of Chevy’s decision to use this material for this car. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
http://composite.about.com/library/PR/2000/bldaimler1.htm
b. The Corvette Museum website:
http://www.corvettemuseum.com
7. Natural Fiber Composites
Carbon and glass fibers are some traditional materials being used in composite materials. There is also research being done into using more “natural” materials in the construction of composite materials. Some of these include: cotton, linen, straw, etc. Do some research into composites using these materials. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks to using these materials. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
http://www.plasticstechnology.com/articles/199910fa1.html
8. High-Temp Gas Turbine Materials
The development of aircraft jet engines parallels the development of materials able to handle higher and higher temperatures. Do some research into the alloys currently being used in jet engine turbines that are designed to handle very high temperatures. Discuss the composition of these materials and possibly some of the development history of the materials that have been used in the past. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
http://www.cruciblecompaction.com/superalloy.html
9. Aerospace Composites
The aircraft industry is using more and more composite materials. The new airplane announced by Boeing (the 7E7 Dreamliner) is forecast to have more composite materials in it than any previous commercial airliner. Do some research into where these materials are being used on commercial aircraft. Discuss the reasons why they are being selected for use on aircraft and discuss some of the limitations that changing to composite materials over traditional materials may have. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a. The Boeing company website:
http://www.Boeing.com
10. Quiet Steel
The Ford F-150 uses a material known as “Quiet Steel”. Do some research into what this material is, what benefit it can provide and any foreseeable limitations. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a. The Quiet Steel website:
http://www.quietsteel.com
11. SR-71 Titanium
The fastest jet-powered aircraft in the world is an aircraft that was designed and built decades ago. The SR-71 Blackbird had to be designed to operate in a very high- temperature environment as it flew at supersonic speeds. In order to survive in this regime titanium was selected as the material for constructing this aircraft. Research the use of titanium on this aircraft, the benefits and difficulties that it caused. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
http://www.blackbirds.net
12. Pre-Stressed Concrete
Concrete is a very common material used in construction. Because concrete is not very strong in tension, reinforcement bars are often placed inside a concrete structure. One particular development in concrete products is called “pre-stressed concrete”. Research what pre-stressed concrete is and what it might be used for. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
http://www.pci.org
13. Space Shuttle Tiles
The NASA Space Shuttle has to endure extremely hot temperatures when it re-enters the earth’s atmosphere. In order to prevent the structure from melting, heat-resistant tiles were glued to the outer surface of the shuttle. Research what these tiles are made of, they’re capabilities and their limitations. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
http://yarchive.net/space/shuttle/shuttle_tiles.html
14. Shape Memory Alloys
A more recent development in materials has been the creation of “Shape-Memory” alloys. Nitonol is the commercial name of one of these types of alloys. Do some research into what a shape-memory alloy is and what it might be used for. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
http://www.shape-memory-alloys.com
15. Hi-Tech Bicycle Materials
Lance Armstrong just won another Tour de France. In the continuing quest for higher, faster, farther, Lance and many Olympic athletes turn to high-tech materials to give them an edge. Research what materials these athletes are using for their bicycles. Comment on the reasons that they have selected those materials. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a. High-Performance Composites website:
http://www.compositesworld.com/hpc/issues/2005/March/775
16. Laminated Wood Structural Materials
Laminated Wood Structural products have replaced solid wood materials in many aspects of house construction. Research how these products are made and used. Comment on the benefits they provide over solid wood materials. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
http://www.ebuild.com/guide/products/default.asp?catCode=29
17. Automobile Corrosion Control
Corrosion has long been a problem for automobiles. Recently, automobile manufacturers have started offering lengthier warranties against rust-through on their auto body panels. Research what newer methods they are using to combat rust. Address both selection of materials and coatings and treatments that help prevent/reduce corrosion. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
http://www.tradervar.com/links-automotive-products-rust-protection-1.htm
18. Liberty Ship Failures
The text book makes a brief mention of cargo ships built during World War II that suffered material failure. Do some research into what the cause of these failures was and report on how they fixed the problem. Here are some resources to help you get started.
a.
http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/DANotes/fracture/maritime/maritime.html
b.
http://www.cascobay.com/history/libship/libship.htm
c.
http://www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/lastliberty.html
d.
http://www.fiu.edu/~thompsop/liberty/photos/liberty_summary.html
19. Surgical Implant Materials
Surgical implants have become very common. Hip-replacement and knee-replacement surgeries are becoming commonplace. Do some research into what the desired properties are for materials used in implants. Discuss what types of materials are currently being used. Look at benefits and limitations. Here are some resources to help you get started.
a.
http://www.nickelinstitute.org/index.cfm/ci_id/11049.htm
b.
http://www.lorenzsurgical.com/CF_titanium_midface.shtml
20. Threaded Fastener Specifications
Threaded fasteners (nuts and bolts) are readily available at the local hardware store. However, in many cases, the properties of a fastener need to be more specific than what is available in the bolt-bin at the hardware store. Do some research into classifications, specifications and materials used in threaded fasteners. Discuss the benefits and best use for the different materials and treatments available. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
http://www.fasten.it/istruzioni_uk.php
21. Galvanic Couples and Corrosion
When different materials are put together they often create an electrical potential (galvanic couple). This can lead to corrosion. Do some research into the electrical potential created between dissimilar materials. Discuss how this information could be useful to a designer. Here are some resources to help you get started.
a.
http://www.hghouston.com/Technical%20FAQs/TFAQ123.html
22. Materials used in Cryogenics
Often materials will exhibit different behavior when subjected to extremes of temperature. Such is the case of materials used in cryogenics. Research what materials are used in these extremely cold environments. Discuss how material properties can change in extremely cold temperatures. Here are some resources to help you get started.
a.
http://www.cec-icmc.org/
b.
http://www.edewar.com/
c.
http://www.key-to-steel.com/Articles/Art61.htm
23. Piano String
Piano makers often are proud of the fact that they obtain their piano string from European factories. German-made Roslau string is the most prominent example of this. Do some research into why they think steel piano strings from Europe are the best. Find out exactly what type of material is used in the manufacture of piano wire. Obtain an understanding of the environment in which piano wire is expected to function. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a. Piano Technician’s Guild: http://www.ptg.org
b. Article from PTG Tech Archives:
http://www.ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech/2003-July/138829.html
c.
http://matse1.mse.uiuc.edu/~tw/metals/d.html
24. Single Crystal Materials
There has been some research done into trying to create objects with a single crystalline structure. Do some research into the status of these materials. Discuss what kinds of properties they hope to obtain by creating such a material. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
http://www.nlr.nl/public/en/index.php?pid=9945
b.
http://www.lanl.gov/mst/crystal/materials.html
25.
Aircraft Windows
Windows in a home are not generally considered structural objects. However, windows in aircraft must be able to handle high pressure differentials and the possibility of heavy impact forces. Do some research and find out what aircraft windows are made out of. Discuss some of the properties of the material and some of its weaknesses. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a. http://www.lanl.gov/mst/crystal/materials.html
b. PPG Corporate website (look at Aerospace, Transparencies):
www.ppg.com
26. Minting Coins
Metals have been used for quite a long time in the minting of coins. Do some research into the processes and materials used in minting coins. Discuss the forces used and the materials that the dies are made out of. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
www.USmint.gov
b.
http://www.segoviamint.org/english/technology.htm
c.
http://www.coinsite.com/
27. Bullet-Proof Materials
One specialized type of material research involves creating materials that will stop a speeding bullet. Do some research into bullet-proof materials, how they work, how they are used and what are the limitations? Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
http://www.secureglass.com/
b.
http://www.nimracerglass.com/armorplates.htm
c.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/question476.htm
28. Testing Mountain Climbing Equipment
Consequences can be fatal if equipment used in mountain climbing were to fail. Do some research into the materials being used to manufacture mountain climbing equipment. Discuss how the manufactured equipment is quality checked to ensure it is meeting the requirements. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a.
http://akbar.marlboro.edu/~mahoney/DropTest/DropProposal.html
b.
http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=793755&CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=658927
29.
ASME Boiler Code
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers owes much of its history to the development of codes for the manufacture of boilers. Do some research into what the codes require for materials used in the manufacture of a high-pressure boiler. Discuss where someone would be able obtain this information. Here are some resources to help you get started:
a. The ASME website:
http://www.asme.org
30. Cryogenic Trumpet Treatment
A company is advertising that they will cool a brass instrument down to cryogenic temperatures. It is supposed to do something to the brass material that will enhance the sound. Examine this idea from an engineering standpoint. Does the theory make any sense? Are there any results to refute or support the claim? Here are some resources to help you get started:
a. Cryogenic Trumpet test:
http://www.whc.net/rjones/jlynch/cryo/index.html
b. Acoustical society: http://www.acoustics.org/press/133rd/2amu4.html
c. Commercial site offering cryogenic services:
http://www.thebrassbow.com/brassbw1.htm
31. Lightweight Membrane Materials for Solar Sail Applications
Lightweight membranes are widely used in many space applications including solar sail, space mirrors, space antennas, and high altitude scientific balloon. For more details:
a.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/solar-sail2.htm
b.
http://www.andybrain.com/extras/solar-sail.htm
c.
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/snews/2004/0809.shtml
32. Catastrophic Structural Failure of Titanic
How did Titanic fail? What was the structural problem? You will find much information online.
33. Or, any other topic in your interest
