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Science, Maths & Technology
Toyota diffusion (TD)
Elements such as vanadium, niobium and chromium, are diffused into a ferrous metal component, via a chemical reaction that takes place in a high temperature salt bath with a borax mix. After quenching and tempering, a very hard carbide layer remains on the surface of the component. This surface coating is often applied to extend the life of ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Phosphating (non-electrolytic coatings)
Often used on ferrous metals to provide a protective, corrosion-resistant phosphate film prior to painting. The phosphate coating, created via a precipitation reaction, adheres well to the base metal, also offering good surface adhesion for paint or powder coating.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Anodising
An electrochemical process causes a layer of anodic oxide to form on the surface of a non-ferrous base metal, such as aluminium. Oxide provides protection from corrosion and wear, as well as a good surface finish for painting. Also used for decorative effect.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Electroless plating
Metal ions within a chemical solution, using an autocatalytic reaction, deposit a uniform layer onto the surface of prepared (cleaned and etched) material to be coated. The process is purely by chemical reduction and no electrical current is necessary.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Chemical vapour deposition (CVD)
Reactive gases are fed into a heated chamber containing the component(s) to be coated. At elevated temperature, various gaseous phases chemically react with the heated surfaces of the component(s), and a solid, corrosion resistant coating is deposited onto those surfaces.
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Digital & Computing
From Zero Day to Doomsday – Public Lecture
We are delighted to invite you to From Zero Day to Doomsday, a lecture by Mike Richards on the WannaCry ransomware cyber-attack, which had serious implications last year for the NHS and businesses around the world.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Selective laser melting (SLM)
Heat is generated using a focused heat source, normally a laser, sufficient to melt a thin layer of powder applied to the surface of a substrate. Material is added layer by layer by lowering the build by a small amount and spreading a thin layer of powder over the surface. To create the desired geometry, the heat source is traversed over the ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Fused deposition modelling (FDM)
Thermoplastics are heated to above their glass transition temperature and extruded onto a substrate to produce a raised track or filament. The desired geometry is created by manipulating the extrusion nozzle using a computer-controlled positioning system. Three-dimensional structures can be formed by adding material onto previously deposited ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Direct metal deposition (DMD)
Heat is generated using a focused heat source of various kinds, sufficient to melt the surface of the substrate and form a small melt pool. Material is added to the melt pool using a focused powder stream or a wire feed system to form a raised portion of material. To create the desired geometry, the substrate is manipulated using a ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
3D printing
Although often used as a blanket term for additive manufacturing, 3D printing is a technique where a print head is used to control the deposition of polymer on a substrate drop by drop.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Magneform (electromagnetic assembly and forming)
A high energy rate, cold forming technique that reshapes metals without physical contact. When an electric current generates pulsed opposing magnetic fields near the metal, a controllable pressure is created.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Injected metal assembly (Liquid riveting)
This refinement of die casting is a simple joining/assembly technique where components are accurately positioned and metal is injected into the cavity between the components and a die, solidifying almost instantaneously. The join, which may be stronger than the component itself, depends on the mechanical locking action and shrinkage of the ...