Juan Carlos López
Senior WriterAn engineer by training. A science and tech journalist by passion, vocation, and conviction. I've been writing professionally for over two decades, and I suspect I still have a long way to go. At Xataka, I write about many topics, but I mainly enjoy covering nuclear fusion, quantum physics, quantum computers, microprocessors, and TVs.
Materials science is an exciting discipline. While some may find it unappealing, it’s important to recognize its significance. This field focuses on studying the structure, physicochemical properties, and behavior of elements to design new materials that can be applied across a wide range of industries.
Examples include Kevlar, which is used in bulletproof vests and some loudspeakers, and carbon fiber, utilized in aeronautics, automotive manufacturing, and sports equipment. Other new materials include high-performance alloys used in nuclear reactors and aircraft turbines, and carbon nanotubes, which are already being integrated into certain electronic devices.
Roughness Matters (a Lot)
One important property that materials engineers frequently study is roughness. This characteristic refers to the subtle irregularities present on a material’s surface. Measuring these irregularities typically requires microscopic analysis. However, the key takeaway is that understanding roughness helps researchers design and manufacture new components. Roughness is a critical parameter that affects the performance, durability, and potential applications of new materials.
In fact, some research groups and companies focus on characterizing new materials and measuring their roughness. For example, Michigan Metrology specializes in measuring, analyzing, and inspecting surface roughness and wear. To conduct its analyses, the company employs highly sophisticated equipment capable of accurately identifying the surface irregularities of materials through three-dimensional scanning.
Mechanical engineer Ernest Rabinowicz created the table above. Notably, it serves as a crucial reference for Michigan Metrology and other companies involved in materials engineering. The table provides valuable information about the roughness and sliding compatibility of most metals in the periodic table.
Rabinowicz designed the table with the symbols representing each metal displayed on the horizontal and vertical axes. At the intersection of each metal pair, a unique symbol indicates whether they’re incompatible, partially incompatible, partially compatible, compatible, or identical in terms of their roughness. This information is hugely valuable in the field of metallurgy.
From a metallurgical standpoint, compatible metals tend to adhere to each other, increasing friction and wear. As such, knowing the degree of compatibility between different metal pairs is essential when designing sliding interfaces between metal components. In short, two parts work most effectively together when they’re metallurgically incompatible, meaning the metals don’t dissolve into one another.
Image | Dan Cristian Pădureț
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