Basic data describing the properties of metals and advanced materials based on metals form an important component of the technological infrastructure which NIST supports. Information of this kind is essential to the understanding of the behavior of metals in different conditions and to the effective design of structures and devices containing metals. The measurement base is an MSEL mission strategic thrust.
This program is focussed on the development of techniques to measure various properties of metallic materials and the acquisition of data of technological significance. It includes activities involving measurements of mechanical, magnetic, and optical properties which impact a number of different technology sectors. For instance, in collaboration with the Copper Development Association, the mechanical behavior of lead-free plumbing solders is being investigated to provide the comprehensive and reliable database needed to establish internal working pressure standards for drinking water pipe joints. In contrast with these traditional measurements involving a widely used material, high speed optical techniques are being developed in another project to measure selected thermophysical properties of solid and liquid materials at high temperatures. The goals of this work are to generate accurate bench-mark data on selected key materials and to develop new high-temperature thermophysical standards. In other work involving a collaboration with ALCOA and USCAR, models are being developed and verified for the press-and-sinter and powder forge processes for metal matrix composites. The goal of this work is to develop lightweight materials for automotive applications. In the area of characterization, a technique is being developed which visualizes stress fields in opaque materials using the acoustic microscope. Work in the past year has included collaborations with DuPont, Libby Owens Ford, and Sonix.
Projects
For additional information about any aspect of the Metals Data and Characterization Program, please call Steve Hardy, 301-975-6159, email - shardy@micf.nist.gov
Back to Table of ContentsLast modified: Mon Jan 06 09:46:15 1997 Metallurgy Webmeister