The ground rules are one topic per student . Again, some exceptions
are possible - for example, two students choosing to work together will
need to define individual areas of responsibility so that the each student
demonstrates that they have used inductive thinking in their portion of
the case analysis
 |
Intelligent Processing of Titanium
Matrix Composites |
|
Reserve desk - Wadley, H. and R.
Vancheeswaran. "The Intelligent Processing of Materials: An Overview and
Case Study", Journal of Materials, January, 1998. 19-30. This case
study analyzes new process models and simulation tools that are used to
"explore the processibility of different composite systems and identify
optimum process schedules; in conjunction with microstructure sensors,
they can now be used for model-based feedback control." |
|
Material Selection for Sporting
Goods |
|
Baseball Bats |
|
Reserve desk - "Baseball
Bats, Getting Good Wood (or Aluminum) on the Ball", Mechanical Engineering,
October, 1990. 40 - 47. This article discusses the increasing technical
sophistication of the baseball bat design and material choice to produce
high-performance bats. |
|
Bicycle Frame |
|
Reserve desk (student case study)
- Smith, J., "Materials Selection for a Bicycle Frame", 1993. This case
study explores "the suitability of 6061 aluminum, 6Al/4V titanium, graphite
fiber reinforced epoxy, 4130 steel, and a SiC/Al metal matrix composite"
for use in bicycle frames. |
|
Ice Axe |
|
Reserve desk (student case study) - Cann, M., "Material Selection
for a High Performance Ice Axe", 1998. This case study is by an engineer
for Black Diamond Equipment, Inc., a Salt Lake City manufacturer of climbing
equipment. The goal is to "research different axe shaft materials and come
to a final recommendation based on the identified functional requirements
and constraints." |
|
Vaulting Pole |
|
Reserve desk - Lewis, G., Selection
of Engineering Materials, A Vaulting Pole, Chapter 14, Prentice
Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990. 132 - 137. "From the viewpoint
of material selection, the objective is to choose a material that has a
very high value of specific endurance strength and whose use would result
in the lowest values of (a) the weight of the vaulting pole, for a given
"pole stiffness", and (b) the total cost of the pole (raw material plus
fabrication costs). |
|
Snowboard |
|
Reserve desk (student case study)
- Harper, D., "Case Study: A Look inside Snowboard Construction Components",
1998. This case study "compares and contrasts an ideal case study with
one performed by DNR, USA. The study involves replacing a European produced
rubber component found in the tip and tail regions of the Santa Cruz freestyle
snowboards with a domestically produced material with similar material
properties. This study takes a material engineering approach to choosing
a material and compares it to the actual steps that were taken to reach
a solution." |
|
Skateboard Wheels |
|
Reserve desk - Lewis, G., Selection
of Engineering Materials, Skateboard Wheels, Chapter 16, Prentice
Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990. 143 - 148. This case study focuses
on the selection of the materials for skateboard wheels. This is a case
where the "best material" based on data is not the one used because of
cost and other constraints. |
|
Semiconductors |
|
Reserve desk - Anderson, D. "Material
Demands for Optical Neural Networks", MRS
Bulletin, August, 1988. 30 - 35. In this article the author presents a
cursory look at optical neural networks and focuses on architectures that
employ photo refractive materials. He concludes with "we need a medium
that is to neural networks what silicon is to digital computers. Optical
approaches reveal their promises, and we look to materials technology advances
to realize them." Does that medium now exist? |
|
Ceramics |
|
Reserve desk (student case study) - Baczuk, J. and G. Gordon, "Lightweight,
Dimensionally Stable, Polymer-Ceramic Composites for Space Systems &
Commercial Applications", 1998. LoTEC, Inc., a Low Thermal Expansion ceramics
company in SLC specializes in NZP, a material that exhibits near-zero thermal
expansion . The applications for which this material has an advantage
are discussed , along with constraints in manufacturing the material. |
|
Polymers |
|
Automobile Tires |
|
Reserve desk (student case study)
- Larson, R., "An Investigation into the Possibility and Feasibility of
Using Thermoplastic Elastomers in Automobile Tires", 1993. This case study
was motivated by the unrecyclability of tires. In addition to recyclability,
thermoplastics have a simpler manufacturing process. They do have other
problems, including the limitation of having the molding be reversible
by heat. In the conclusion, several questions are proposed for additional
research. |
|
Aerospace Propulsion Nozzle |
|
Reserve desk (student case study) - Laramee, R., "Case Study, Thiokol
Corporation, Aerospace Propulsion Nozzle Material Evaluation", 1990. "This
case study relates to the engineering evaluation of downsizing by 50% the
shuttle boosters to meet the propulsion requirements of the Advanced Launch
Systems (ALS)." |
|
Orchestral Harp |
|
Reserve desk - Lewis, G., Selection
of Engineering Materials, Sounding Board of an Orchestral Harp,
Chapter 13, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990. 125 - 131.
This case study focuses on the problem of "board creep." When the
harp is tuned elastic deformation occurs. Eventually the strain may cause
the sounding board to separate from the the sounding box, rendering the
instrument unplayable. |
|
Biomedical - Medical |
|
Blood Analogue Fluid |
|
Reserve desk (student case study)
- Lobo, S., "Design Criteria and Selection of an Optimal Blood Analogue
Fluid", 1993. This case study attempts to select a fluid with "optimally-matched
fluid mechanical parameters" to blood and "to recommend the standardized
use of such a fluid in subsequent flow investigations of blood." |
|
Small Vascular Grafts |
|
Reserve desk (student case study)
- Mulder, M., "Material Selection for Small Vascular Grafts", 1993. "This
study was conducted in response to questions raised by a group of investors
who are interested in exploring the financial incentives of investing in
small diameter vascular grafts...Vascular grafts are porous polymer tubes
which are used to replace natural blood vessels or reroute blood around
an obstructed vessel." |
|
Coatings for Human Teeth |
|
Reserve desk - Lewis, G., Selection of Engineering Materials,
Question 53, Coatings for Human Teeth, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs,
New Jersey, 1990. 399 - 402. Brief description of enamel, dentin, and cementum,
and all parts of the human tooth from materials science viewpoint. Identifies
material requirements for a human tooth coating. Compares performance of
natural enamel with candidate materials. |
|
Metals |
|
Hard Chrome Surfaces |
|
Reserve desk (student case study)
- Pardey, H., "Replacement for Hard Chrome Surfaces in Hydraulic Cylinders",
1993. "This case study is to determine an alternate material to replace
the hard chrome surfacing on diamond drill hydraulic chuck cylinders and
pistons." |
|
Automobile Body Panels |
|
Reserve desk (student case study)
- Chandra, D., "Case study of selection of Materials for Automobile Body
Panels". "In the present study selection of materials for automobile
body panel is elucidated and a performance index is prepared for materials
chosen." The purpose is to find "new materials which can replace high energy
consuming conventional materials." |
|
Electrosurgical Scalpels |
|
Reserve desk (student case study)
- Billings, E., "Electrosurgical Scalpels". In this case study, the materials
restrictions for materials to be used in as electrosurgical scalpels
were analyzed and used to select materials for this application." |
|
Intermetallic Compounds |
|
Reserve desk - Destefani, J., "Advances
in Intermetallics", Advanced Materials & Processes, 2/98. 37 - 41.
This article looks at the processing and properties of intermetallic compounds.
Composites discussed include Ni3Al, Ti3Al, and NiAl. |
|
Flat Spiral Spring |
|
Reserve desk - Lewis, G., Selection of Engineering Materials,
Flat Spiral Spring Chapter 23, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey,
1990. 194 - 197. "The objective is to use the spring to store energy and
to recover the same either slowly or rapidly, depending on the function
of the spring. Thus the flat spiral spring finds itself in applications
such as clocks, watches, and gramophones, as are found in antique shops
or in private bric-a-brac collections." |
|
Composites |
|
Reserve desk - Bowman, R. and R.
Noebe, "Up-and-Coming IMCs", Advanced Materials & Processing, 8/89.
35 - 40. This article discusses the development and testing of Intermetallic-matrix
composites (IMCs). It also features the fabrications methods, including
powder cloth, fiber/foil, arc and plasmal thermal spray. |
|
Electrical - Electronics |
|
Flywheel Energy Storage |
|
Reserve desk - Lewis, G., Selection of Engineering Materials,
Pressure Capsule and Outer Hull of a Deep Sea-Operating Vehicle, Chapter
1, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990. 1 - 9. "The objective
in flywheel design being to store the maximum amount of kinetic energy
per unit mass of the flywheel, the two criteria of performance are thus
stored kinetic en`ergy and flywheel mass. In analyzing for the optimum
material, the discussion is limited to thin flywheels so that plane stress
conditions may be assumed." |
|
Magnetic Recording Heads |
|
Reserve desk - Jagielinski, T. "Materials
for Future High Performance Magnetic Recording Heads", MRS Bulletin, March,
1990. 36 - 43. This article states that "Conventional ferrite heads will
be eliminated from high performance recording systems and ...The future
lies with multilayers and artificial structures in which properties can
be engineered independently during the fabrication process." Eight years
later, is this true? |
|
Diamond Thin Film |
|
Reserve desk - "Diamond Thin Film:
Hot New Material for the 90's", Design News, 4-10-89. 70 - 75. This article
explores the processing and potential uses for diamond film. It suggests
that "the 1990s could become the decade of the diamond." Was he right? |
|
Process Selection |
|
The Granta software has a focus on process selection
and the use of selection charts for differentiating between process
choices. |
|
Material Selection for Stress
Corrosion Cracking |
|
Stress corrosion cracking is a major , if not
the major source of materials failure . Numerous possible case studies
exist in this area, centered around an example of failure and how to avoid
it. |
|
Material Selection for Modern
Ships |
|
Modern Warship |
|
Reserve desk - Hadden, Cdr, P., "Selection
of materials for a modern warship", Royal Naval Engineering College, Manadon,
Plymouth, Devon PL5 3AG. "In the design of a modern warship, operational
effectiveness must be balanced against cost, reliability, and maintainability.
This article illustrates the extent to which the design process affects
the selection of materials employed in the construction of the latest class
of anti-submarine warfare ship, the Type 23, and emphasizes the increasing
extent that cost plays." |
|
Deep Sea-Operating Vehicle |
|
Reserve desk - Lewis, G., Selection of Engineering Materials,
Pressure Capsule and Outer Hull of a Deep Sea-Operating Vehicle, Chapter
10, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990. 96 - 103. "Both
the deep submersible and the deep submergence vehicles require critical
designs to obtain the optimum mix of operating depth and payload. One way
of achieving such a mix is through proper selection of materials for the
key structural components, the pressure capsule and the outer hull." |
|
Material Properties |
|
Thermal Shock Resistance |
|
Reserve desk - Lewis, G., Selection of Engineering Materials,
Thermal Shock Resistance, Chapter 7, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New
Jersey, 1990. 56 - 73. "Thermal shock is the phenomenon whereby a body
experiences instantaneous or stepwise changes in temperature due to rapid
change in either external temperature or the rate of internal heat generation.
As a result of these changes, internal thermal stresses are generated that
may weaken the material or, in extreme cases, lead to fracture." |
|
Shape Memory |
|
Reserve desk - Lewis, G., Selection of Engineering Materials,
Shape Memory Effect Applications, Chapter 11, Prentice Hall, Englewood
Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990. 96 - 103. "The shape memory effect (SME)
is the ability of certain alloys to 'remember' the dimensions that a basic
shape (wire, rod, sheet, table) possessed at a previous point in
its thermomechanical history and to work to recover those dimensions upon
heating above and/or cooling below a characteristic temperature,
termed the transformation temperature or temperature range." |
|
Material Selection for Hazardous
Waste Incinerators |
|
Tooele Incinerator - The hazardous waste incinerators
at Tooele process |
|
Material Selection for Sports
Courts |
|
Sports Court Co. |
|
Mixed Material Selection |
|
Receiver of Solar Energy |
|
Reserve desk - Lewis, G., Selection of Engineering Materials,
Receiver
of a High-Temperature Solar Energy Thermal System, Chapter 24, Prentice
Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990. 198 - 201. "The receivers in
SETS are the key components that determine the operating temperature at
which power conversion or thermal processes can take place. The achievement
of high operating temperatures (greater than 800°C.) makes possible
higher-efficiency engines and an increased number of useful industrial
processes. |
|
Drive shaft |
|
Reserve desk - Lewis, G., Selection of Engineering Materials,
Drive
shaft of a Medium-sized Car, Question 2, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs,
New Jersey, 1990. 243 - 249. "The use of filamentary composite materials
in automotive vehicle components is on the increase. (a) Demonstrate the
plausibility of this statement. (b) State the attractive features of these
materials for one automotive vehicle component, the drive shaft of a medium-sized
car." |
|
Material Selection for Paint
Spray Booths |
|
Reserve desk (student case study) - Rudert, J. " Selection of a Material
for the Walls and Ceiling of a Low-Cost Paint Booth", 1998. "This case
study concerns the selection of a material for the walls and ceilings of
a low-cost automotive paint booth. The constraints include maximum stiffness
per unit weight, ease of assembly of the final product, toxicity of the
material during processing and in case of a fire, cost. |
|
Process Selection for Solid
Propellants |
|
Alliant - Thiokol |
|
Process Selection for Aerospace
Composites |
| . |
Reserve desk - Lewis, G., Selection
of Engineering Materials, Materials for Hypervelocity Vehicles,
Chapter C1, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990. 433 - 440.
"The selection of materials for use on external surfaces of hypervelocity
vehicles is governed primarily by the need to protect these sections from
the very high temperatures created by aerodynamic heating during
flight. To keep the weight of these vehicles to the minimum possible, high-temperature-resistant
but light-weight materials, rather than thermal protection shields, are
preferred." |
|
Material Selection for Process
Industries |
| . |
Reserve desk (student case study) - Knudsen, M., "Materials Selection
and Performance in the Chemical Process Industries: Case Studies", 1998.
"Case studies taken from three actual projects in differing industries
where specific materials selection was required were reviewed. The Ashby
method was used in each case...The Ashby system worked well for these cases." |
