Reverse Engineering metals

[BriMtl]

1st time posting.
I'm interested in finding out if it's possible to reverse engineer the exact type of alloy used in manufacturing something based on available samples.
Can one even deduce the mechanical properties based on the samples?
Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

PS. My company services the Defense department and we're trying to remake parts that were manufactured by a company that no longer exists.

 

[40818]

Yes, you can certainly limit the possibles based upon things such as conductivity, hardness etc

 

[unclesyd]

If they were made under military contract there is a record of the part along with all the specifications.

 

[MikeHalloran]

There exist portable instruments capable of discriminating alloys:

http://www.oxford-instruments.com/w...rting+of+high+value+alloys+in+metal+recycling

http://www.thermo.com/com/CDA/Category/CategoryFrames/0,2213,15526,00.html

They are pretty expensive. Your local scrapyard may have one, or may know of someone who will come to your shop and identify stuff for you as a service.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[monkeydog]

Unless it is some exotic material, you can probably reduce the possibilities of what material it is by some research into the product. And, as unclesyd said, there should be some documentation to assist in determining the material.

 

[arunmrao]

Developmet of spares for defence equipment is a big business and often reverse engineering methods are adopted successfully.

The breakup of USSR and the East European Communist block provided a massive kick for this mission to move forward under the banner of indigenisation.

However their acceptance by the user(military is another subject.

But technically having some knowledge of different materials a good structure property correlation can be done.

If you can describe any part that you contemplate manufacturing (without revealing details) guidelines can be provided.

" All that is necessary for triumph of evil is that good men do nothing".
Edmund Burke

 

[BriMtl]

Thanks for the fast replies.

But can these analyzers give you various grades of alloys?
For example ASTM A 633 has different grades.
Would chemical analysis , hardness testing, or other instruments(like these analyzers) differentiate the grades?

Also the military(CDN) doesn't have the specifications for the subject parts.

 

[CoryPad]

Nondestructive analysis won't always be able to differentiate all alloys. However, destructive testing for chemical composition and mechanical properties can differentiate almost anything.

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[MikeHalloran]

ISTR the Niton instrument can differentiate 302 from 304 stainless. Beyond that, I don't know. Ask for a demo.

For military parts, you can be assured that copies of the original drawings and specs are in a government warehouse ... somewhere. Buying an analyzer may be cheaper than conducting the search.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[arunmrao]

If you can get the services of a good testing laboratory,they can perform a structure property correlation and advise suitably on selection of materials,processes and inspection.

" All that is necessary for triumph of evil is that good men do nothing".
Edmund Burke

 

[EdStainless]

A lot of work can be non-destructive, or at least minimally destructive. In the end you will want to have a part cut up so that finer points can be verified. There are people that specialize in do this work.

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