Case Studies in Materials Selection

A collection of 40 or so case studies in materials selection. They illustrate the use of a methodology used to select candidate materials for a wide range of applications - mechanical, thermal, electrical, and combinations of these. Each case study addresses the question - out of all the materials available to the engineer, how can a short list of promising candidates be identified? Most of the case studies are generic: those for beams, springs, flywheels, pivots, flexible couplings, pressure vessels and precision instruments are examples. The criteria they yield are basic to the proper selection of a material for these applications. Case studies include: mechanical; the archery bow; the vaulting pole; the violin bow; materials for light, stiff, strong beams; materials for bicycles; thermo-mechanical; disposable hot-drinks cups; electro-mechanical; springs for light fittings.