Lightweight alloys have become of great importance in engineering for construction of transportation equipment. At present, the metals that serve as the base of the principal light alloys are aluminum and magnesium. One of the most important lightweight alloys are the aluminum alloys in use for several applications (structural components wrought aluminum alloys, parts and plates). However, some casting parts that have low cost of production play important role in aircraft parts. Magnesium and its alloys are among the lightest of all metals and the sixth most abundant metal on earth. Magnesium is ductile and the most machinable of all metals. Many of these light weight alloys have appropriately high strength to warrant their use for structural purposes, and as a result of their use, the total weight of transportation equipment has been considerably decreased.

This book covers the most important aspects of lightweight metal alloys including history, physical metallurgy, overview of production technologies, alloy development, compositing, post-processing (heat treatment, surface engineering, bulk-deformation), and joining methodologies. It discusses the microstructural evolution, fractography, morphology of corroded and worn surface to enable easy understanding of the mechanism. The topics covered in this book include lightweight metallic materials, instrumental characterization of light weight metal alloys and composites, severe plastic deformation processing of aluminum alloys, solid-state welding of aluminum alloys, aluminum metal matrix composite for automotive and aircraft applications, and heat treatment of aluminum metal matrix composites. The book is highly useful for students, researchers, academicians, scientists, and engineers working on lightweight materials.

This book presents cutting-edge research on the design and development of novel, advanced high-strength, light-weight materials via the incorporation of novel reinforcements, namely, metallic amorphous alloys/bulk metallic glasses (BMG), in light metal matrix composites (LMMCs) based on Al and Mg. The book begins with an introduction to conventional ceramic reinforced light metal matrix composites, along with the major drawbacks which limit their application. Metallic amorphous alloys/Bulk Metallic Glasses (BMG) are new class of metallic materials that are distinctly differently from conventional metals/alloys in terms of their structure and thermal behavior, and exhibit extremely high strength (1 to 2 GPa) and large elastic strain limit (1 to 2%). Given these unique properties, upon their incorporation into Al/Mg-matrices, they provide superior interfacial properties, i.e. high degree of compatibility with the matrix due to their metallic nature when compared to conventional ceramic reinforcements, and thereby significantly enhance the mechanical performance of LMMCs. Amorphous/BMG reinforced LMMCs is an emerging research field and the existing literature is meager. This book discusses the various processing methods that would be suitable for these novel materials. A comparison of mechanical properties and strengthening mechanisms of amorphous/BMG reinforced composites with those of conventional ceramic composites is presented. Future research directions and wider research potential of the novel materials are discussed, and prospective applications are highlighted. For ease of understanding and comparison, appropriate schematics, tables, and figures are provided.

The aim of the present work is twofold. On one hand in the first part, the attention is focalized to give a brief but general idea on (i) the presence and importance of the different materials which surround us, including light alloys and more in details Al-based alloys, on (ii) some features on the actual state of the manufacturing of metallic alloys, and on (iii) some technical hitches appearing when metallic alloys are developed. On the other hand, some indications on how the metallic materials can be structurally characterized using complementary methodologies, namely microstructural analysis and X-Ray diffraction technique, including different real case studies, will be recalled. Additionally, a few aspects on how the data acquired can be managed in order to recognize the highest number of information bits about the investigated material and to holistically use them for finding a suitable application, or vice versa to find the right material for application drive processes, will be discussed. The present book is mainly addressed to students of materials and mechanical sciences, electrical and industrial engineering, and other relevant engineering specializations, where investigations on materials/metallic alloys are important.

"These proceedings represent contributions to the Symposium on the Corrosion and Protection of Light Metals, held at the 204th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society, October 12th through 17th, 2003, in Orlando, Florida."--P. iii.

Several ceramic parts have already proven their suitability for serial application in automobile engines in very impressive ways, especially in Japan, the USA and in Germany. However, there is still a lack of economical quality assurance concepts. Recently, a new generation of ceramic components, for the use in energy, transportation and environment systems, has been developed. The efforts are more and more system oriented in this field. The only possibility to manage this complex issue in the future will be interdisciplinary cooperation. Chemists, physicists, material scientists, process engineers, mechanical engineers and engine manufacturers will have to cooperate in a more intensive way than ever before. The R&D activities are still concentrating on gas turbines and reciprocating engines, but also on brakes, bearings, fuel cells, batteries, filters, membranes, sensors and actuators as well as on shaping and cutting tools for low expense machining of ceramic components. This book summarizes the scientific papers of the 7th International Symposium "Ceramic Materials and Components for Engines". Some of the most fascinating new applications of ceramic meterials in energy, transportation and environment systems are presented. The proceedings shall lead to new ideas for interdisciplinary activities in the future.

Additive manufacturing (AM) of metals and composites using laser energy, direct energy deposition, electron beam methods, and wire arc melting have recently gained importance due to their advantages in fabricating the complex structure. Today, it has become possible to reliably manufacture dense parts with certain AM processes for many materials, including steels, aluminum and titanium alloys, superalloys, metal-based composites, and ceramic matrix composites. In the near future, the AM material variety will most likely grow further, with high-performance materials such as intermetallic compounds and high entropy alloys already under investigation. Additive Manufacturing Applications for Metals and Composites is a pivotal reference source that provides vital research on advancing methods and technological developments within additive manufacturing practices. Special attention is paid to the material design of additive manufacturing of parts, the choice of feedstock materials, the metallurgical behavior and synthesis principle during the manufacturing process, and the resulted microstructures and properties, as well as the relationship between these factors. While highlighting topics such as numerical modeling, intermetallic compounds, and statistical techniques, this publication is ideally designed for students, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, technologists, academicians, practitioners, scholars, and educators.

The major issue of energy saving and conservation of the environment in the world is being emphasized to us to concentrate on lightweight materials in which aluminium alloys are contributing more in applications in the twenty-first century. Aluminium and its related materials possess lighter weight, considerable strength, more corrosion resistance and ductility. Especially from the past one decade, the use of aluminium alloys is increasing in construction field, transportation industries, packaging purposes, automotive, defence, aircraft and electrical sectors. Around 85% is being used in the form of wrought products, which replace the use of cast iron. Further, the major features of aluminium alloy are recyclability and its abundant availability in the world. In general, aluminium and its related materials are being processed via casting, drawing, forging, rolling, extrusion, welding, powder metallurgy process, etc. To improve the physical and mechanical properties, scientists are doing more research and adding some second-phase particles in to it called composites in addition to heat treatment. Therefore, to explore more in this field, the present book has been aimed and focused to bridge all scientists who are working in this field. The main objective of the present book is to focus on aluminium, its alloys and its composites, which include, but are not limited to, the various processing routes and characterization techniques in both macro- and nano-levels.

Laser-Based Additive Manufacturing (LBAM) technologies, hailed by some as the "third industrial revolution," can increase product performance, while reducing time-to-market and manufacturing costs. This book is a comprehensive look at new technologies in LBAM of metal parts, covering topics such as mechanical properties, microstructural features, thermal behavior and solidification, process parameters, optimization and control, uncertainty quantification, and more. The book is aimed at addressing the needs of a diverse cross-section of engineers and professionals.