One of the relatively scarce and valuable metals: gold, silver, and the platinum-group metals. Also called noble metal(s).

The art of producing metal powders and utilizing metal powders for production of' massive materials and shaped objects.

The part of the total carbon in steel or cast iron that is present in elemental form as graphite or temper carbon. Contrast with combined carbon.

The component of either a liquid or solid solution that is present to a lesser or minor extent: the component that is dissolved in thesolution.

An increase in hardness and strength caused by plastic deformation at temperatures below the recrystallization range.

A conjoint action involving corrosion and erosion in the presence of a moving corrosive fluid, leading to the accelerated loss of material.

A loss in ductility accompanied by an increase in hardness and strength that occurs when low-carbon steel (especially rimmed or capped steel) is aged following plastic deformation. The degree of embrittlement is a function of aging time and temperature, o ...

(1) Before finishing to final dimensions, repeatedly heating a ferrous or nonferrous part to or slightly above its normal operating, temperature and then cooling to room temperature to ensure dimensional stability in service. (2) Transforming retained aus ...

Deterioration of material caused by ion impact.

When an electrode reaches dynamic equilibrium in a solution, the rate of anodic dissolution balances the rate of cathodic plating. The rate at which either positive or negative charges are entering or leaving the surface at this point is known as the exch ...

See Pourbaix (potential-pH) diagram.

Heating an alloy to a suitable temperature, holding at that temperature long enough to cause one or more constituents to enter into solid solution, and then cooling rapidly enough to hold these constituents in solution.

See embrittlement.

Being or composed of matter other than hydrocarbons and their derivatives, or matter that is not of plant or animal origin. Contrast with organic.

See principal stress (normal).

Corrosion testing in a boiling solution of nitric acid. This test is mainly used to detect the susceptibilty to intergranular corrosion of stainless steel.

The reciprocal of polarization resistance (di/dE).

The shear stress on a transverse cross section resulting from u twisting action.

The heavy oxide layer formed during hot fabrication or heat treatment of metals.

The permanent (inelastic) distortion of metals under applied stresses that strain the material beyond its elastic limit.