One of the main tasks of a materials engineer is to identify the material history. Material history has several applications in the fields of fracture analysis or in reverese engineering. Material history starts from the moment an alloy of specific composition is born inside a furnace. This is followed by the manufacturing process it has gone through, such as: casting, sheet metal forming, bulk deformation (forging, rolling, etc...), or material removal using machining. It also contains the heat treatment process or further strengthening processes (e.g. case hardening).
In contrast to human history, material history is not recorded on books; it is rather recorded on the material microstructure and its mechanical properties. Yet, reading human history out of a history book is much easier than reading the material history out of its microstructure!

The aim of this project to identify the type of material, history of production and heat treatment by utilizing metallography and mechanical testing as the main tools.

- Select an automotive component out of the following groups mentioned below

A. Gears: (from the gear box, differential, ) or sprockets (inside the engine)
B. Shafts: cardanshaft (drive shaft), crankshaft, steering shafts, or camshaft.
C. Brake: disk or drum brake shoes (front or rear brakes)
D. Piston
E. Connecting rod
F. Radiator tubes, fins, or air conditioning tubes
G. Muffler box
H. Springs: suspension, leaf spring, frame, suspension
I. Engine block

Prepared by :  Moataz M. Attallah, November 9th, 2001