Metalworking is undergoing a dramatic, revolution-like change driven by developments in materials science. The pivotal position that innovations in materials science hold in the fundamentals of metalworking is nothing new, as they have long influenced the metalworking techniques, applications, and future direction of the industry. What is changing now, where metalworking is concerned, is that cutting-edge materials—offerings of today's "materials revolution" as some call it—are endowed with characteristics that not only defy physics as we know it but also change the very nature or "essence" of metalworking.
The metalworking industry and high-performance alloys are working together to change designs and processes for the better. These alloys have a remarkable property set that includes extraordinary mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability. They are playing a part in setting new records in those areas across a range of applications that go from aerospace to automotive, then from automotive to medical applications, and on to consumer electronics. Some of the demands for high-performance alloys are coming from sectors where lightweight designs are critical.
Nanotechnology has allowed metalworking to grasp some truly remarkable opportunities. The extraordinary properties of nanomaterials, engineered at the molecular level, have increased strength and conductivity in metals and improved the efficiency and capability of thermal management in metalworking. In short, they're redefining our ideas about what we can do with metal. On top of that, new manufacturing methods like 3D printing and laser sintering are starting to use these nanomaterials in ways that'll allow us to make parts, and make 'em in shapes and configurations, that we just couldn't do before.
The impetus of sustainability is pushing the metalworking industry to develop better, less harmful materials. It has been nudging us toward using recycled metals, for instance, something we all can do better with. Eco-friendliness is what bio-based polymers are about—replacing oil-based polymers that are hazardous to humans and the environment. When it comes to coatings, the impetus of sustainability is pushing us to utilize coatings that won't cause environmental harm. Performance-wise, the cutting-edge materials we're using in metalworking today are delivering at levels we haven't seen before, making this a truly exciting time for the industry.
To summarize, innovations in materials science are like fertilizer to fruit trees, making metalworking grow and prosper in today's world. Their transformative effect on manufacturing processes manifests in improved performance, lighter and leaner designs, and an overall drive toward more sustainable practices. Our future metalworking "landscape," if you can call it that, will be defined not only by the materials we use but also by the largely untapped opportunities to exploit those materials' unique properties. Progress in the industry—and the redefined possibilities within it—will rest on the capability of the human imagination to use the biology of metals effectively.