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.

Destruction of metals or other materials by the abrasive action of moving fluids, usually accelerated by the presence of solid particles or matter in suspension. When corrosion occurs simultaneously, the term erosion-corrosion is often used.

The first coat of paint applied to a surface. Formulated to have good bonding and wetting characteristics; may or may not contain inhibiting pigments.

A single, solid, homogeneous crystalline phase containing two or more chemical species.

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

Deterioration of material caused by ion impact.

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

(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 ...

See embrittlement.

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.

See Pourbaix (potential-pH) diagram.

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 ...

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).

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

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

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.

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

The reciprocal of polarization resistance (di/dE).

The surroundings or conditions (physical, chemical, mechanical) in which a material exists.