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Questions tagged [materials]

Use for questions about designing, manufacturing or synthesizing engineered materials or about the properties of specific materials. Questions concerning common construction materials, such as wood, steel or masonry do not need to use this tag; use the more specific tag instead.

19 votes
1 answer
981 views

Can we change steel properties by application of magnetic field while quenching?

Austenite is non magnetic while $\alpha$-ferrite and pearlite are magnetic. (Magnetic properties of pearlite vary as a function of carbon content) If a strong magnetic field is applied in a ...
Subodh's user avatar
  • 1,413
10 votes
1 answer
2k views

How do I keep my bit from wandering on a drill press?

I punch metals before I start a bit in them, but with small-diameter bits I am finding that they wander inside the material. E.g., drilling a 1/8" hole in 1/2" of aluminum the (titanium-coated HSS) ...
feetwet's user avatar
  • 1,757
38 votes
10 answers
44k views

Is it possible to build a perfectly spherical Prince Rupert's drop?

Prince Rupert's Drops are glass objects created by dripping molten glass into cold water. While the outside of the drop quickly cools, the inside remains hot for a longer time. When it eventually ...
Vladimir Cravero's user avatar
14 votes
1 answer
756 views

What are some cost-effective metal substances that can wet glass?

A highly desirable property of metals like gallium and indium is that they are able to wet glass. Normally, as metals, they wouldn't be able to form an airtight seal when in contact with glass. But ...
APerson's user avatar
  • 611
5 votes
4 answers
8k views

How can I make a rudimentary sunspotter?

This is similar to my Physics.SE question Microtops sunphotometer sun target optics - there I was asking about the optics principles (the answer is no good for my understanding, but I have been able ...
user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
6k views

What does the steel grade "11SMn30" mean?

I am starting to use steel in some of my designs, and while trying to learn more about this material and its properties I have realized that there is so much more to it than I thought. How does the ...
jhabbott's user avatar
  • 5,970
13 votes
3 answers
2k views

Do I need to worry about galvanic corrosion when inserting a steel bar through aluminium?

My design uses a round steel bar inserted through a hole in an aluminium component with a tight fit (no movement). The operating environment is dry, 20-40°C. Do I need to worry about galvanic ...
jhabbott's user avatar
  • 5,970

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