Challenge of Materials

The ability to withstand high temperatures without melting or corroding and to retain strength at those temperatures is crucially important in certain situations. Nickel has proved to be a remarkable base metal for high- temperature alloys and is cap

The origins of extraction metallurgy go back to pre -history. At a very early time in history, bronze, which is normally an alloy of copper and tin, was made by fusing mixed ores of the two metals together to produce a melt of two layers. On top woul

• Bronze chisel, about 1370 BC, found at Tel El-Amarna, Upper Egypt

Dial telephone, dial marked with letters and numerals, c. 1930

• Dial telephone, c. 1930.

Pewter porringer or bleeding bowl, graduated

• Pewter bleeding bowl, 18th or 19th century.

• Space Furnace

Bullet and stab resistant vest, worn under clothing by Metropolitan Police. This vest is designed to be worn by a woman.

• Bullet-and stab-resistant vest, 1996.

• Hydrogen-powered scooter

Scarificator with 13 lancets (cased), European

• Scarificator with thirteen lancets, European, 17th century.

• Titanium aluminide turbine blade

Samples of casein, made by Erinoid, c. 1930.

• Display card of samples of casein plastic, c. 1930s. Tradename "Erinoid".