Challenge of Materials
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When a given object is to be made in large numbers by casting, a permanent metal mould is used.The rapid cooling obtained in such a mould gives a fine-grained structure and a mechanically strong casting with a good surface finish. Pressure die castin
Dunlop Max 200G tennis racket, with carbon fibre in nylon, injection moulded frame, 1984
Tin is extracted mainly from cassiterite, or tin oxide, which is found in Malaya, the East Indies, Bolivia and to a small extent in Cornwall. About one-half of the tin produced is used in tinplate, whilst the tin's low melting point and ready abilit
Hadfield's manganese steel contains 11-14% of manganese. The metallurgy of this material is complicated but such steel has a very high resistance to wear because of its high rate of work hardening.This special grade of steel is made in electric arc f
About 5% of the Earth's crust consists of iron and in its many forms it is the metal most used by mankind. Meteoric iron was first used as early as the first millenium BC, but iron objects first began to be made in Asia Minor around 2000BC. Sponge ir
Around 1000BC it was discovered that iron with a small amount of carbon could be hardened by quenching in water after heating.This was followed by a reheating process called tempering.However it was not until Henry Sorby (1826-1908) developed the me
Two original rubber seeds brought by Sir Henry Wickham from Brazil in 1876
Gold is a yellow precious metal that has always been one of the most valued materials. Not only is it rare, but it can be exposed to the atmosphere for a long time without tarnishing, and can be repeatedly melted without much loss in weight. Gold, an