Research programs in the Engineering Metallurgy Group are based on the application of fundamental principles to “real world” industrial problems. The theories of materials science are applied by various methodologies to determine the processing / structure / property relationships in engineered alloy systems.

As shown below, a predominant number of studies are conducted in joining and coating processes. Principles of alloy development are also used to determine new materials, coating compositions, and filler metal alloys for welding. Welding processes and coating methods are evaluated to produce improved properties such as fracture toughness or corrosion resistance.

World-class facilities in microstructural characterization, welding and solidification processes and high temperature corrosion are some of the laboratories utilized in these studies. In most cases, researchers have the opportunity to work directly with industry in applying the results of their research to solve industrial problems.