Year: 2017

Creating complex shapes

Powdered metals help engineers produce parts cost-effectively What is the best way to make a 3-D part out of metal? It depends. There are a number of considerations involved, including time and money. To create parts, manufacturers can choose either a subtractive or an additive manufacturing process. Subtractive manufacturing involves taking a block of material…

Beyond base metals

Minor metals are major players in high-tech innovation Typically the word “minor” refers to things of lesser importance, size or degree. Minor metals, however, are far from inferior—they are major players in a wide range of specialty, high-tech industries and used to create alloys with desirable mechanical properties, including deformability and corrosion resistance. Minor metals…

Taming corrosion

A properly installed Zinc anode protects metal components Corrosion is a destructive force. When certain metals come in contact with water, they can begin to degrade quickly. But in the case of storage tanks, steel water or fuel pipelines, and boats, contact with both fresh and saltwater is necessary. Cathodic protection using sacrificial anodes can…

Powerful protection

Zinc anodes can extend the useful life of metal parts Anyone who has spent time near beaches knows that metal items exposed to saltwater begin to rust quickly. Freshwater encourages oxidation, as well, but because saltwater is a good conductor, electrons move easily through it, accelerating the reactions that cause corrosion. Cathodic protection is one…